Hunter Named In Northern Ireland Squad
Reading captain Barry Hunter has been handed the perfect incentive to battle his way back to fitness after being named in the Northern Ireland 'B' squad.
Hunter, out of action with knee trouble since March last year, is in the squad of 22 named for the clash with the Reoublic of Ireland on February 11.
Hunter, who returned to full training two weeks ago, is yet to play for Reading this season. (31st Jan. 1998)

Contracts!
Reading goalkeeper Nicky Hammond and winger Martin Williams have pledged their futures to the first division club by signing new two-and-a-half year contracts at Elm Park.
Hammond, 30, has been outstanding since replacing Australian international Steve Mautone in goal three months ago while Williams, 24, has impressed manager Terry Bullivant with a string of impressive performances this season.
Both players were out of contract in the summer and available on free transfers under the Bosman ruling.
Bullivant said: "I'm delighted both players have signed because they deserve the new deals.
"Nicky has been outstanding for us and is a model professional while Martin works very hard and adds a new dimension to our team." (30th Jan. 1998)

Davies Set For Return
Defender Gareth Davies is set to return to the Reading side after missing two matches with a hamstring injury.
Winger Martin Williams is back in the reckoning after recovering from a rib injury.
In-form Birmingham City have doubts over left-back Simon Charlton and midfielder Martin O'Connor who both have groin problems.
If the two players are ruled out then Martin Grainger and Steve Robinson will continue to deputise. (30th Jan. 1998)

Macca Back In Training
Royals defender Keith McPherson has given manager Terry Bullivant a much-needed boost by returning to training this week.
McPherson, 34, one of five central defenders on the injury list, has been sidelined for the last month with a hip and groin problem.
But the centre-back returned to training this week with a view to a possible first-team comeback at the start of next month. (29th Jan. 1998)

Terry Tips Royals To Bounce Back
Reading manager Terry Bullivant backed his side to bounce back following their humiliating 4-1 defeat at Bradford.
Carl Asaba gave Reading the lead after only two minutes before Bradford scored four unanswered goals.
But Bullivant said: "We're very disappointed to have been beaten so heavily, but we have come back from bad defeats before and we will do it again." (28th Jan. 1998)

Reading Wait On Injuries
Reading are fighting to get leading scorer Carl Asaba and defender Gareth Davies fit for the First Division game at Bradford.
Asaba limped out of the FA Cup tie at Cardiff with a calf strain shortly after heading Reading's equaliser in the 1-1 draw, his ninth goal of the season.
Davies never started the game after losing his fight to recover from a slight hamstring pull.
Reading manager Terry Bullivant explained: "We decided not to risk Gareth because there was a danger that he could make the injury worse and put himself out for weeks. It was a decision we took just 90 minutes before the kick-off.
"Carl came off because he complained of a strain and we didn't want to take the risk of making it worse.
"We will have to take a close look at both players before deciding whether to put them in the team at Bradford."
It was Asaba's first game back after completing a three-match suspension, but now winger James Lambert faces a two-match ban.
He was booked for time wasting by referee Stephen Lodge but Bullivant said: "Jamie never heard the whistle for offside and ran on to put the ball into the net.
"We told the referee after the game that nobody wastes time when they are losing 1-0 in a Cup tie, but he said he blew the whistle as hard as he could and under the rules he had no option but to book Jamie." (26th Jan. 1998)

Stadium Update - Chronicle Report (Jan. 16th 1998) Steelwork has begun to go up on the north and south stands of the Madejski Stadium. Bricklayers and mechanical and electrical workers are due to start work on Monday 19th January. Construction manager Andy Farquhar said; "It's continuing very well. The grass on the pitch has already been cut a couple of times and it's looking really good." Scores of fans are now calling in at the visitors' centre. Commercial co-ordinator Sue Reid, who is based at the site, said; This week the number of people coming has really picked up. Everybody has a look at the plans and the model and then they stand outside and gaze at the building work." She said season ticket information will not be finalised untill the end of the month but her department is already being inundated with inquiries. The commercial department is also answering inquiries on corporate hospitality and the banqueting and conference facilities. (26th Jan. 1998)

Mautone Desperate To Prove His Worth - Chronicle Sport Report (Fri. Jan. 16th) Steve Mautone has vowed to prove he's the best keeper in Division One after suffering a fresh injury setback which will keep him out of the game for a further six weeks. Mautone, who damaged cartilage in Reading's warm-up against Port Vale in November, injured the same knee recently and underwent an operation on Tuesday 13th Jan. At the beginning of the season the Australian keeper had dreams of a place on the world Cup stage but must now fight for his fitness and club position. He said: "I thought this could be the season to put my mark on this division. "I thought that if Australia qualified for the World Cup this year, I'd have had a good chance to get a spot on the team but I can't worry about that now. "Before my first injury I was thinking about the next stage but I should have been thinking about getting the injury right. "I had a good end to last season, started this season well and had some quite flattering reports in the newspapers about certain teams showing an interest in me. "This is the longest injury lay-off I've had for seven years, but it's very different when you're a professional and football's your life" Mautone stayed in hospital on Tuesday night and is now determined to reclaim the number one jersey: "Nicky Hammond deserves alot of credit because he's done really well. "I'm just desperate to get back in the team because it's vary frustrating watching from the stands. "The surgeon cleaned up the knee an said the operation went really well." Manager Terry Bullivant is disappointed with the injury setback: "Steve's a very good goalkeeper and it's a blow because Iwant three goalkeepers pushing for the number one spot." But Mautone remains defiant: "In football you're always setting yourself goals and then reassessing them, but there's no point feeling sorry for myself. "I've just got to use it as a character - building exercise." (25th Jan. 1998)

Praise To The New Boy
Reading manager Terry Bullivant has praised new signing Jason Bowen following his £200,000 transfer from Birmingham last month.
Bullivant said: "Jason has fitted in very well since he came here and is another crowd pleaser and he is proving to be a very good signing."
Reading are boosted by the return of striker Carl Asaba after suspension for the FA Cup fourth round match at Cardiff but defender Gareth Davies is battling to shake off a hamstring strain. (23rd Jan. 1998)

A Royal Crisis
Reading face a defensive crisis on the eve of their FA Cup tie at Cardiff with five centre backs on the injured list.
Northern Ireland international Barry Hunter, £400,000 signing Linvoy Primus, (Weekly) Pole Dariusz Wdowczyk and long-serving Keith McPherson have been joined by Gareth Davies, £100,000 signing from Crystal Palace who pulled a hamstring against Cheltenham.
"Gareth has only a 50-50 chance of being fit," admitted Reading manager Terry Bullivant.
Davies is desperate to play against one of his former clubs but said: "I will not cheat Reading or myself. If I am not 100 per cent fit then I won't play.
"I'll see what progress I make over the next 24 hours and then make a decision."
If Davies is unfit Michael Thorp, who replaced him against Cheltenham, will make only his sixth start alongside Andy Bernal in the middle of the back four.
Striker Carl Asaba has completed a three-match ban but is likely to be a substitute. (23rd Jan. 1998)

Will Davis Be Fit For Cup?
Reading defender Gareth Davies is battling to be fit for the FA Cup fourth round match at third division Cardiff City.
Davies limped out of the third round replay victory over Cheltenham after pulling a hamstring and is now receiving intensive treatment to get him fit for this weekend.
Reading manager Terry Bullivant is already without centre-backs Keith McPherson, Linvoy Primus and Dariusz Wdowczyk through long term injuries. (22nd Jan. 1998)

Morley Bids To Silance Crowd
Reading goal hero Trevor Morley has a mandate to silence Cardiff's infamous noisy following at Ninian Park on Saturday.
The former Hammer, now 36, helped his Reading team book an FA Cup fourth round date at Cardiff with a 38th minute opener in Tuesday night's defeat of plucky Conference battlers Cheltenham.
Said Morley: "I cannot remember the last time I played at Ninian Park I think it was during my West Ham days.
"We have heard that things could get a little hot at Cardiff on the weekend.
"As far as I am concerned, though, the warmer the better. I believe a crowd of 10,000 plus will only inspire us."
But the Elm Park marksman added: "If it takes a couple of matches to put Cardiff out so be it.
"A replay back here wouldn't be a disaster would it?"
Royals' boss Terry Bullivant is poised to pair Morley with record signing Carl Asaba for the Cardiff clash. (21st Jan. 1998)

Davies Injuryed
Reading may be without their Welsh U21 international defender Gareth Davies for Saturday's FA Cup fourth round date at Cardiff.
The strapping central defender tweaked a hamstring in the first half of Tuesday night's Titanic Cup tussle with GM Vauxhall battlers Cheltenham Town limping off on the hour.
This is a severe blow for the Royals, as Davies has formed a formidable defensive partnership with Aussie Andy Bernal since joining them from Crystal Palace in December.
The ú100,000 defender had been relishing the prospect of returning to Ninian Park the 24-year-old had played six games in the Bluebirds' colours whilst on loan from Palace.
Royals' boss Terry Bullivant rates Davies as "extremely doubtful" at best for the trip. (21st Jan. 1998)

Terry Pays Tribute To Cheltenham
Reading manager Terry Bullivant has paid tribute to Vauxhall Conference side Cheltenham after the Royals battled to a 2-1 FA Cup replay win at Elm Park.
A late goal from Martyn Booty was enough to earn Reading a fourth round trip to Cardiff this weekend but Bullivant realised his side had been given a tough game.
He said: "Cheltenham have been excellent over the two games and have shown how high the standard is in the Conference. I'm certainly happy that we managed to get through." (21st Jan. 1998)

No Interest In Pair
Reading manager Terry Bullivant says no interest has been shown in goalkeeper Sal Bibbo and defender Paul Bodin despite them being on the transfer list.
Bibbo and Bodin both requested to go on the list after being frustrated by their lack of first team opportunities this season.
But Bullivant said: "Although both are available we have not yet had anyone else showing any interest." (20th Jan. 1998)

Royals Injury Crisis Is Over
Reading boss Terry Bullivant believes the Royals' season could be transformed following the end of an injury crisis which has caused problems at Elm Park since August.
Crocked stars Ray Houghton, Linvoy Primus, Keith McPherson and Barry Hunter are all back in full training.
Bullivant said: "It could be a very good season for us if we can keep our squad together. We've got everyone back at the right time." (19th Jan. 1998)

Reading Beat Swindon
Reading manager Terry Bullivant hailed his side's 2-0 win over local rivals Swindon as their best performance of the season.
"Everything went right for us and I'm delighted," he said after goals from Stuart Lovell after nine minutes and James Lambert five minutes later had clinched the points for the visitors.
"Things are on the up for Reading. We've got lots of ambitions and when you see us play like that, you have to say this club has got lots of potential.
"When I first arrived, we had so many injury problems it wasn't true, but at least now we're turning the corner.
"The supporters have been wonderful to me since I arrived and the support they gave today was a major factor, but I've got to say it's the best we've played this season."
Swindon manager Steve McMahon, who has seen his side win just once in their last 11 matches, felt they performed better today.
He said: "I realise the performance wasn't up to much, but it was an improvement on the way we've played in recent games.
"I can't put my finger on exactly what's gone wrong and, to be honest, I'm a bit bewildered. I'm convinced all we need is a lucky break to turn things around." (18th Jan. 1998)

Reading Still Without Asaba
Reading's leading scorer Carl Asaba is still suspended and misses the visit to near neighbours Swindon.
Stuart Lovell, now fully recovered from a serious knee injury, continues to deputise for Asaba.
Goalkeeper Nicky Hammond, who was in fine form during the FA Cup draw at Cheltenham, now looks set for an extended run in the side.
Hammond replaced the injured Steve Mautone in November and Mautone now faces a further two-month lay off after a second cartilage operation this week. (16th Jan. 1998)

Mautone Has A Second Operation
Reading goalkeeper Steve Mautone has had a second operation on the knee he injured against Port Vale in November.
The former West Ham keeper, Reading's first choice until the injury, recovered sufficiently from a cartlidge operation to play in a reserve game against Peterborough.
Now his left knee has swollen again and another cartilage operation is required.
In Mautone's absence former Plymouth and Swindon keeper Micky Hammond has taken the chance to establish himself in Reading's side by turning in some outstanding performances. (14th Jan. 1998)

Hunter's Battle Nearly Over
The Royals' Northern Ireland international centre back Barry Hunter has given the club a massive boost by declaring he is fit to return to full-time training.
The 29-year-old captain has been battling a knee problem since March last year.
Reading manager Terry Bullivant said: "Barry should be back in action within a month but we don't want to rush things." (14th Jan. 1998)

Amitious Cheltenham Looking To Beat The Royals
Cheltenham are hoping to create further history in their FA Cup third round tie against Reading.
The newly-promoted Vauxhall Conference side are currently second in the league and until New Year's Day had remained unbeaten in 17 outings.
But now manager Steve Cotterill are looking to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time ever.
Cotterill said: "We've done really well to get this far and create a bit of history already. Let's just hope we can create a bit more.
"We'll be keeping our feet firmly on the floor. Getting into the Football League still remains our priority. We want to play at the highest level possible as soon as we can."
Stuart Lovell is set for his first start in eight months as Reading look to wreck Cheltenham's dream.
Lovell gets his chance as record signing Carl Asaba begins a three match suspension.
Royals manager Terry Bullivant said: "It's a blow having to do without Carl upfront but the return of Stuart Lovell and Michael Meaker gives me options and it's nice to have most of our injured squad on their way back." (13th Jan. 1998)

Terry Blames Coke Binge
Reading manager Terry Bullivant blamed his side's epic Coca Cola Cup battle with Middlesborough in midweek for the Royals failure to beat Bury.
Reading drew 1-1 but looked leg weary following their clash with Bryan Robson's side.
"We looked tired and jaded after the midweek game with Middlesborough this is a game we should have won," said Bullivant. (11th Jan. 1998)

Williams Ruled Out
Midfield star Martin Willams will be missing for Reading for up to a month after he suffered a deflated lung during the Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final defeat against Middlesbrough.
Williams, 24, was kept in hospital overnight after colliding with Boro captain Andy Townsend during the first half of the 1-0 defeat on Tuesday.
Reading manager Terry Bullivant is waiting on the fitness of Ray Houghton (calf), Linvoy Primus (shin splints) and Keith McPherson (hip) before deciding his side to entertain Bury.
Bullivant's men have solid league form, recently drawing with QPR and Wolves, as well as beating West Brom. (9th Jan. 1998)

Terry Blasts Ref's "Indecision"
Reading manager Terry Bullivant made no effort to hide his feelings after his side's Coca-Cola Cup exit and he could pay a high price for his frankness.
Craig Hignett's 89th minute strike was enough to see Middlesbrough into the semi-finals with victory at Elm Park.
But the controversial circumstances surrounding the goal left Bullivant bemused by referee George Cain's handling of the free-kick which led to the only goal of the game.
Bullivant was not too impressed with the rest of Mr Cain's performance either and could face a misconduct charge for his post-match comments.
Leicester boss Martin O'Neill was recently charged by the FA for speaking out about an official's display but that did not stop Bullivant from saying what he thought.
"I felt the game was too much for the referee," said Bullivant. "The players were fighting behind him and he didn't notice.
"He seemed at first to be indicating a 'bounce-up' and then when the Middlesbrough players dropped off it looked like he had given a free-kick to us.
"We threw players forward, centre-half Gareth Davies went charging up, yet they took the free-kick and before you know it the ball was down our end and in the back of the net.
"We have to have clear signals from referees. It's a sad way to go out when the lads have given so much.
"I thought we were going to get the free-kick but in a way that's irrelevant; it's the referee's indecision that matters as I think Bryan Robson also said."
'Boro's players were the quickest to react to the situation, Paul Merson latching on to the quickly taken kick to set Hignett free and, after earlier hitting the post, Hignett this time made no mistake from eight yards out.
Bullivant's comments may yet land him in hot water with the FA but Cain was happy that he had handled the situation correctly.
He explained: "There was a foul on a Middlesbrough player to which Trevor Morley reacted. He ran straight to me voicing his disagreement and was cautioned for dissent.
"As far as I'm concerned when a player is cautioned for dissent it's an indirect free-kick, full stop.
"I am happy with my handling of the situation but I would have thought the players would have handled it more professionally. The players in the area were fully aware it was an indirect free kick." (7th Jan. 1998)

Reading 0 - 1 Middlesbrough + Ref.
A fiercely-disputed goal by man-of-the-match Craig Hignett in the third minute of injury-time put Boro into the last four of the Coca-Cola Cup at Elm Park.
It followed a six-man skirmish in the middle of the pitch after referee George Cain had stopped play for a foul 30 yards away. At first the referee seemed to have given an indirect free kick to Reading but then pointed the other way.
Andy Townsend took it quickly and the ball was played up to Paul Merson whose pass provided Hignett with a simple chance.
Boro, losing finalists last season, had found themselves constantly forced back by Reading's hard-running players before the break.
When the two sides met at the Riverside on December 13, Boro won 4-0 but things were much different in this game.
Craig Hignett clear early on but, as he was about to shoot, Martyn Booty robbed him and cleared the danger.
Reading midfielder Lee Hodges fired wide from Jamie Lambert's pass and in the 14th minute Boro were fortunate not to go behind. Lambert swung over a corner from the left and Gareth Davies, Reading's ú100,000 signing from Crystal Palace, headed downwards. The ball ran off Trevor Morley's foot and would have squeezed inside the near post had Vladimir Kinder not stuck out a foot.
Reading manager Terry Bullivant never allows the same player to take two consecutive corners and, when it was Booty's turn from the left, defender Steve Vickers headed out into the Boro crowd behind the goal to make it three in a row.
Bryan Robson's side were lucky again in the 21st minute when a break down the right by Martin Williams led to Morley half-volleying a 15-yard shot on the turn. Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer managed to get both hands to it and push the ball into the air. He was relieved to see it bounce down on to the netting behind the crossbar.
Negligent defending by Martyn Booty three minutes later almost led to Boro taking an undeserved lead. He played striker Mikkel Beck onside with Hignett supporting on the left. As Booty closed in on Beck, the Dane squared the ball to his colleague only for Nicky Hammond to foil Hignett with a sprawling save to his left.
Boro breathed a sigh of relief when veteran Morley appeared to have his heel clipped in the penalty area right in front of the referee but he waved play on. Then Hignett was cautioned soon afterwards for a foul on Phil Parkinson.
The pace of Williams worried Kinder and Hignett down the right and it was a blow for Reading just before half-time when he was tackled by Andy Townsend and two minutes later limped off to be replaced by Jason Bowen.
Little was seen of Paul Merson, Boro's England forward who Robson says has never done himself justice when watched by Glenn Hoddle. It was fortunate for Merson that Hoddle was not present.
Boro were more purposeful after the break and Hignett might have scored in the 50th minute when Hammond dropped a high cross from the right. But the Boro man failed to take advantage of the mistake and Parkinson cleared.
Within a minute Beck found himself clear of the last defender, looked up and casually side-footed a 15-yard shot well wide of Hammond's right-hand post. It was a very poor piece of finishing.
Then Lambert, switched to the left with Bowen playing on the right, played a ball inside to Carl Asaba and Schwarzer made a brilliant diving save to stop the former Brentford striker's shot.
On the hour Hignett risked being sent off when he clashed with Asaba, who pushed him away, but the referee merely gave them a lecture.
Boro's centre backs Nigel Pearson and Steve Vickers seemed to have problems all night with handling crosses and one from Steve Swales was headed wastefully over the bar by Morley from a promising position.
Paul Merson thought he had won a penalty when he was brought down by Australian international Andy Bernal. But to his dismay, the referee waved play on as Bernal, normally a full back but playing in the middle, protested his innocence.
Reading had a complete back four out injured but it seemed to make no difference to their defensive strength.
Hignett was frustrated in the 67th minute when he turned on the far left of the penalty area and curled a right-foot shot off the far angle of crossbar and post. - A Soccernet Report. (7th Jan. 1998)

Royals Without Parkinson
Reading's hopes of making it through to the semi-finals of the Coca-Cola Cup have been knocked by the news that midfield star Phil Parkinson will miss the quarter-final against Middlesbrough.
Parkinson was due to complete a suspension by missing Reading's FA Cup third round tie at Cheltenham - but then that game was called of his ban carried over to this week's crucial quarter-final.
Reading boss Terry Bullivant is already sweating over the fitness of a number of key players as he prepares his squad for the game. (5th Jan. 1998)

Royals Expect Duo Back
Reading manager Terry Bullivant is hoping to have defender Linvoy Primus and midfield star Ray Houghton back for the Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough.
The pair were due to miss the FA Cup third round tie at Cheltenham through injury but Bullivant hopes they will have responded to treatment in time to face Bryan Robson's side.
Defender Keith McPherson is struggling to shake off a groin injury, while midfielder Phil Parkinson will miss the game through suspension. (5th Jan. 1998)

Reading Are Bullish Over Boro
Reading manager Terry Bullivant will ignore the form book as he prepares to take on Middlesbrough in the Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final.
The Royals were comprehensively beaten 4-0 in the league meeting between the two sides at the Riverside Stadium earlier this season.
And Boro make the trip to Elm Park sitting proudly on top of the First Division having lost just twice on their travels so far this season.
But Bullivant has enough experience to know that such statistics mean little when it comes down to a one-off cup tie, which this year must be decided on the night even if penalties are required.
"Even though we lost heavily at Middlesbrough in the league we were holding them until the closing stages and I am confident we can win," said Bullivant.
Such optimism comes despite the former Barnet manager still being without three key central defenders.
Linvoy Primus, a ú400,000 close season signing from Barnet, Northern Ireland international Barry Hunter and long serving Keith McPherson are all sidelined through injury, but Bullivant refuses to be downcast.
"I still have a squad which is good enough to win," he said. "I brought Gareth Davies in from Crystal Palace for ú200,000 and he is playing so well in the middle of the back four that he will be difficult to displace when the others are fit again.
"And Andy Bernal is doing a magnificent job as a makeshift central defender, even though he has only just recovered from injury himself."
Another player recovered from injury is former West Ham goal keeper Steve Mautone, but he will have to wait a little longer to get back in the side. Replacement Mickey Hammond is in top form after recovering from a major back operation.
Midfielder Phil Parkinson is also eligible to play despite the fact that he has not yet completed a two match ban.
Parkinson, a Middlesbrough supporter from childhood, is allowed under League rules to play against his boyhood favourites and will complete the ban when his former club Bury travel to Elm Park for a league match on Saturday.
Winger Jamie Lambert has recovered from flu and joins Parkinson in being added to the squad which drew 1-1 with QPR in Reading's last game.
Middlesbrough meanwhile will recall former Inter-Milan defender Gianluca Festa while midfielder Philip Stamp has been ruled out with a back injury from the game at Loftus Road.
Republic of Ireland full back Curtis Fleming will also be available after being rested for the FA Cup tie at Queens Park Rangers. (5th Jan. 1998)

Bodin Accepts Suspension - But Why?
Reading have decided not to appeal against the red card shown to defender Paul Bodin during a heated match against Wolves last month.
Bodin was sent-off despite saying he was nowhere near to an incident which left Wolves striker Robbie Keane clutching his face.
The former Welsh international defender will now serve a ban which will mean he misses out on the FA Cup third round match at Cheltenham this week. (2nd Jan. 1998)