Plymouth 4 Reading 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.

LIFE cannot get much sweeter for Kevin Doyle. The Wexford-born striker has just enjoyed the kind of week he must have wished would never end: a lucrative new contract, tying him to the Royals until 2011, two goals here which brought him his half-century for the Berkshire club three years after joining and the chance to enhance his international credentials in next week’s clash with Poland.

PAUL SMITH produced a spectacular late save as relegated Reading were denied victory on their Coca-Cola Championship return by Nottingham Forest yesterday.

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.

ROY HODGSON claimed not to have seen the rainbow which briefly glittered over the Madejski stadium after an apocalyptic April shower had given way to brilliantly bright sunshine. “I'm one of those old-fashioned managers who watches every kick of the ball,” he said, with a weary tone.

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’S defenders can sleep again. Marcus Hahnemann, the club’s colourful American goalkeeper, has been alarmed at his team’s slide towards the bottom three this season and has not been shy in venting his frustration at his team-mates.

Reading have no new injury worries ahead of tomorrow’s visit of fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Birmingham.

THEY used to call Robbie Fowler “God” on the Kop, but they now have a new hero. Fernando Torres — “El Nino” — is threatening to blow away the memories of Fowler and establish himself as Anfield’s greatest striking idol of modern times.

IRELAND’S new management team have only just got their feet under the desk in Abbotstown, but already they must be wondering why their presence was demanded in the first place.

Reading will be without skipper Graeme Murty (knee) and midfielder Emerse Fae (malaria) for tomorrow’s home game with Manchester City.

IVAR INGIMARSSON believes Reading have reached “the turning point” in their battle to avoid relegation after James Harper sealed a precious late win.

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

TWELVE MONTHS is a long time in football. Just ask Kevin Doyle. This time last year the Royals forward was making a challenge for the Premier League’s golden boot and helping his side in an unlikely push for a UEFA Cup spot.

Reading welcome back defenders Ivar Ingimarsson (ban) and Andre Bikey (international duty) for this weekend’s Premier League visit of Aston Villa.

STEVE COPPELL admits Reading’s plunge towards relegation is giving him sleepless nights and that the fans’ vocal criticism of him is hurtful.

Reading welcome back strikers Shane Long and Dave Kitson for tomorrow's visit of Bolton.

Reading will be without striker Shane Long (ban), midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson (groin) and defender Michael Duberry (knee) for Wednesday night’s trip to Chelsea.

Owen Hargreaves returns to the Manchester United side for today's Premier League trip to Reading after recovering from a rib injury.

Reading will be without defender Michael Duberry (knee) for tomorrow’s visit of Manchester United.

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson was not in the squad for the FA Cup third-round replay at Reading as his wife gave birth to a boy on the eve of the game.

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

MARTIN O’NEILL is hopeful Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen will finally agree to sign a new contract this week.

TO BE rated by Roy Keane is an accolade few would scorn but for an Irishman it is the highest form of praise. Yet for Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, Sunderland’s pursuit of Stephen Hunt was the opposite of music to his ears.

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

DIMITAR BERBATOV almost single-handedly hoisted Tottenham to the top of the Premier League goalscoring table but even that was not enough to quell his frustration at the end of this extraordinary afternoon.

Tottenham 6 Reading 4

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

West Ham 1 Reading 1

Striker Carlton Cole returned from suspension to partner Dean Ashton up front as West Ham manager Alan Curbishley made just one change from last weekend’s 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.