Reading forward Noel Hunt has blasted the match officials after the Royals fell to a 2-1 home defeat against fellow strugglers Aston Villa on Saturday.

Reading striker Shane Long is refusing to settle for a play-off place ahead of his side's crucial home clash with in-form relegation battlers Preston in the npower Championship tonight.

Republic of Ireland striker Noel Hunt has been ruled out of next month's World Cup playoffs with France having undergone a knee operation that may well see him sidelined for the rest of the season.