KENNY DALGLISH waited 9,394 days to get the chance to manage Liverpool in Europe but after a turgid Europa League goalless draw against Sparta Prague, he must have wondered why he looked forward to it so much.

Sparta Prague 0 Liverpool 0

Reading boss Brian McDermott will be boosted by the return of striker Shane Long for the FA Cup quarter-final clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.

BURNLEY hit two sensational second-half strikes to book a place in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final as Reading’s dismal home form again cost them a crack at promotion.

Burnley 1 Reading 0

Reading 1 Birmingham 2

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.

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.

Turkey 0 Czech Republic 1

Czech Republic 1 Portugal 3

CZECH REPUBLIC captain Tomas Ujfalusi is confident his team’s class of 2008 have enough quality to make a serious impact at this year’s European Championships. The Czechs face hosts Switzerland in the opening match today (kick-off 5pm).

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.

Derby 0 Reading 4

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 0 Fulham 2

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

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.

Reading 0 Blackburn 0

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.

Liverpool 2 Reading 1

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.

PHIL JAGIELKA played everywhere for Sheffield United.

Derby 0 Tottenham 3

Reading are still set to be without Andre Bikey for the Barclays Premier League clash away to Everton despite his bizarre sending-off on international duty for Cameroon.

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

Reading 0 Bolton 2