Andy Legg
Former Swansea star Andy Legg has joined Reading in a 75,000 deal.
The 31-year-old Welsh international has signed a three year contract with the Elm Park club after moving from Birmingham. He is set to make his debut in the Division One clash with bottom club Portsmouth.(21st Feb. 1998)

Boost For Terry
Defender Keith McPherson has given Reading boss Terry Bullivant a boost by proving he is back to full fitness after a two-month injury lay-off.
McPherson came through a reserve team game without a reaction to the groin, hip and hamstring injuries which have troubled him since December.
Bullivant may recall Martin Williams to his starting line-up for the home match against Portsmouth while Nicky Hammond is expected to be fit to play in goal.
Reading will be looking to improve their home form after their last match in front of their own fans ended in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Tranmere. (20th Feb. 1998)

FA Cup Defeat
Reading manager Terry Bullivant has urged his players not to let their late FA Cup defeat against Sheffield United affect their climb away from first division relegation trouble.
Bullivant's side were heading for a deserved replay at Elm Park when former Reading defender Lee Sandford hit the winning goal for United with three minutes left.
The Royals boss said: "Obviously the players are very upset to lose to a late goal but they have got to pick their heads up and get back to normal in time for the rest of the league campaign." (15th Feb. 1998)

Praise For Bibbo
Reading manager Terry Bullivant praised third-choice goalkeeper Sal Bibbo for his heroics as the Royals saw their FA Cup dream ended by Sheffield United.
Basingstoke-born Bibbo made a series of outstanding saves but Lee Sandford, who played for Reading on loan earlier this season, grabbed the winner.
Bullivant said: "Sal was outstanding but it just wasn't to be. We've enjoyed our cup run but now it's back to the league." (14th Feb. 1998)

Hunter Sets Comeback Target
Reading's Northern Ireland international defender Barry Hunter says he is hoping to make a return to match action by the middle of next month.
Hunter been out of action since March after two operations to repair a knee injury but is confident of making a comeback soon.
He said: "Things are going well for me but I do not want to rush things and set myself back. The way things look at the moment I think I will be fit in a month." (12th Feb. 1998)

Martin Rowland On Trial
Reading are giving a trial to Farnborough Town's highly-rated midfield player Martin Rowland.
Rowland, 19, has been invited to Elm Park to train with the first-team squad as Reading manager Terry Bullivant looks to strenghten his playing staff.
The former Wycombe apprentice has been in fine form for the Vauxhall Conference club, with Spurs and Nottingham Forest also reported to be watching his progress. (10th Feb. 1998)

Royal Hero Injuryed
Reading goalkeeper Nicky Hammond is expected to be ruled out for three weeks after picking up a stomach muscle injury in the FA Cup replay victory over Cardiff.
Hammond, who has been in fine form since coming in for the injured Steve Mautone, has been told to rest and cannot return to training for at least a week.
Defender Keith McPherson could be available for Reading's home match against Tranmere after returning to training following a hip injury. (6th Feb. 1998)

Gary Lloyd On Trial
Royals boss Terry Bullivant is giving a trial to Barry Town's Welsh international defender Gary Lloyd.
Lloyd, 25, is the first League of Wales player to be called up for international duty after being named as sub for the World Cup Qualifier against Belgium.
Bullivant has invited the full-back to Elm Park for trials and Lloyd is expected to play in a reserve team fixture later this week. (5th Feb. 1998)

Hammond A Hero!!
Reading hero Nicky Hammond defied injury to save three spot-kicks in a penalty shoot-out and end Third Division Cardiff's brave resistance in a thrilling FA Cup fourth-round replay at Elm Park.
Hammond denied Cardiff captain David Penney and Kevin Nugent and then as the finale went to sudden death he kept out Craig Middleton's effort to book a trip to Sheffield United as Reading reached the last 16 for the first time in 63 years.
But Hammond's heroics, which followed a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of play in the replay, were at a cost and may now keep him out of Saturday's First Division clash with Tranmere.
"I had a stomach muscle problem before the game which got worse every time I kicked the ball," said Hammond, who has just signed a new two-and-a-half year contract.
"It didn't help that it was a freezing cold night and by the end I think I had torn the muscle.
"I don't completely rule myself out of Saturday's game against Tranmere yet but I must be very doubtful."
Hammond's absence would leave Reading facing a goalkeeping crisis as Steve Mautone and Sal Bibbo are both also injured, with youth-teamer Jamie Ashdown on the bench last night.
Scuffles between rival supporters had marred an exciting tie, with police reporting that 20 fans were arrested before the kick-off for public order offences.
Disappointed Cardiff acting manager Kenny Hibbitt said: "I think we were the better team over the two games, and it should have been us travelling to Sheffield United for the next round."

Hammond Plays With Injury And Saves The Day!
Reading's goalkeeping hero Nicky Hammond revealed after his match-winning FA Cup performance against Cardiff that he struggled to complete the fourth-round replay because of injury.
Hammond saved three spot-kicks during a penalty shoot-out after the last surviving Third Division side in the competition had forced extra time.
Reading won the sudden-death outcome 4-3 to reach the last 16 for the first time in 63 years but Hammond said: "I had a stomach muscle problem before the game which got worse every time I kicked the ball.
"It didn't help that it was a freezing cold night and by the end I think I had torn the muscle.
"I don't completely rule myself out of Saturday's First Division game against Tranmere yet but I must be very doubtful."
Disappointed Cardiff acting manager Kenny Hibbitt said: "I think Cardiff were the better team over the two games and it should have been us travelling to Sheffield United for the next round." (4th Feb. 1998)

Trouble With Stewards Again!
The Football Association will investigate the trouble which marred Reading's FA Cup match against Cardiff at Elm Park.
A female steward was hit in the face and a ball girl was shoved in separate incidents at last night's fourth round replay, which Reading won on penalties.
The trouble comes just three days after an assistant referee was assaulted during Portsmouth's match against Sheffield United at Fratton Park.
FA spokesman Steve Double, who was at Elm Park, claimed they would be looking into the last night's incidents.
"We're awaiting the reports from the referee and the police before deciding what action, if any, to take," he said.
"But there is no comparison with the Portsmouth incident because nothing as serious as that happened." (4th Feb. 1998)

Terry Happy To Cut Up Rough
Reading manager Terry Bullivant admits his side are not afraid of the rough stuff.
Birmingham had Paul Furlong and Chris Marsden sent off as Reading resisted the physical intimidation.
Bullivant said: "We are quite good at taking it and quite good at dishing it out. We can handle it all afternoon if need be." (1st Feb. 1998)