Reading 0 Sheffield United 1

SHANE LONG has spent much of this season overshadowed by Reading’s more extrovert Irish stars, but the Tipperary-born striker rose to the occasion yesterday to maintain his side’s Premier League push.

READING’S Ireland striker Noel Hunt took his tally into double figures with a goal in each half as Reading returned to winning ways against Coventry in the Coca-Cola Championship last night.

STEVE COPPELL confirmed he is considering his future after Reading’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed last night, with the manager’s resignation expected to be confirmed early this week.

Reading winger Glen Little is rated as doubtful for Sunday’s final game of the season at Derby because of a calf injury.

STEVE COPPELL is not the only manager sporting a furrowed brow at Reading’s plunge towards the Championship.

Reading will be without defender Ibrahima Sonko and midfielder Emerse Fae for tomorrow’s visit of Tottenham in the Barclays Premier League.

STEVE COPPELL is confident that Kevin Doyle will be able to compete in Reading’s final two games of the season despite the tragic loss of four members of his family at the weekend.

Steve Bruce made just a single change to his line-up as Wigan targeted a victory against Reading to all-but ensure Premier League football for next season.

Reading winger Jimmy Kebe is a doubt for tomorrow’s trip to Wigan after picking up a knock during last week’s defeat at Arsenal.

Theo Walcott was handed a chance to impress in the Arsenal starting line-up for this afternoon’s Premier League clash with relegation battlers Reading at Emirates Stadium.

Reading have no new injury worries ahead of their Saturday lunchtime trip to Arsenal.

Reading welcome back midfielder Marek Matejovsky for tomorrow’s home game with Fulham after the Czech international served a one-match ban.

AFTER Newcastle recorded a third successive victory for the first time this season, confirming their Premier League status in the process, the club’s manager, Kevin Keegan, joked that Ronaldinho was on his reserve list of leading summer targets.

Reading will be without Marek Matejovsky for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle as the midfielder serves a one-match ban following his sending off against Blackburn last week.

Steve Coppell named an unchanged side as Reading, on their best run of form this season, look to pull clear of the relegation zone with a victory over Blackburn today.

Reading will check on the fitness of Jimmy Kebe ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Blackburn at the Madejski Stadium after the winger picked up a knock on international duty with Mali.

Reading will be without defender Michael Duberry (knee), midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson (groin) and winger Glen Little (heel) for Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Reading will be without defender Michael Duberry (knee) for tomorrow night’s FA Cup third round replay with Spurs at the Madejski Stadium.

Brynjar Gunnarsson is suspended for Reading’s Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading will be without midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson for tomorrow’s trip to Tottenham.

Reading will keep an eye on Brynjar Gunnarsson ahead of the trip to West Ham after the midfielder completed 90 minutes against Sunderland at the weekend despite a badly-gashed knee.

Defender Michael Duberry is missing from the Reading squad for tomorrow’s visit of Middlesbrough.

Reading will be without defender Michael Duberry for tomorrow’s trip to Manchester City.

Defender Michael Duberry is doubtful for Reading’s home Barclays Premier League game with Arsenal on Monday night after damaging ribs in last week’s defeat at Fulham.

LAWRIE SANCHEZ should have been basking in the glow of only a second league win this season on Saturday.

WITH a win bonus weighing down his pockets and the adulation from scoring one of the quickest goals in Premier League history still ringing in his ears, what more could Shane Long have wanted from his Saturday afternoon?

Manchester United romped to the Barclays Premier League summit in fine style as they netted four for the fourth game running to beat Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

Shane Long netted a sensational winner for Reading only seconds after coming on as a substitute against Newcastle.

Reading expect captain Graeme Murty to retain his place for tomorrow’s visit of Newcastle after the defender suffered a bout of sickness yesterday.

Striker Shane Long has been passed fit ahead of Reading’s trip to Blackburn after missing the Republic of Ireland’s midweek international with Cyprus because of a groin problem.

STEVE COPPELL was a relieved man after Kevin Doyle’s first League goal of the season gave the Royals a much-needed victory against Derby.

Reading welcome defender Ibrahima Sonko back into the squad for Sunday’s visit of Derby.

Both Reading and Liverpool made wholesale changes for their Carling Cup, third-round clash at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading 2 Wigan 1

Reading welcome back striker Kevin Doyle and defender Michael Duberry for tomorrow’s visit of Wigan.

Reading are likely to be without utility man Brynjar Gunnarsson for tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland as the Iceland international has not trained since suffering a badly-bruised knee injury in the defeat by West Ham on September 1.

Reading 0 West Ham 3

Reading are set to welcome back defenders Graeme Murty (hamstring) and Nicky Shorey (knee) for tomorrow’s visit of West Ham, who have tried to buy the latter.

Reading manager Steve Coppell will ring the changes for tomorrow night’s Carling Cup trip to Swansea.

Michael Duberry and Kalifa Cisse are the latest players to become unavailable for Reading ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Everton.

Reading 1 Chelsea 2

Reading will be without strikers Dave Kitson (suspended) and Leroy Lita (hip) for tomorrow’s visit of Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League.