Hunt ‘forgives’ Irish team-mate Carsley for horror tackle

READING’S Stephen Hunt has forgiven Ireland team-mate Lee Carsley for the challenge which left him in agony after the Everton midfielder connected just above the knee in the Royals’ 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Furious Hunt had to be restrained by his skipper Graeme Murty but the midfielder reveals he shook hands with Carsley after the game and insists there are no hard feelings.

The incident was missed by referee Mark Halsey, who did not issue a caution to Carsley, but it was spotlighted on BBC’s Match of the Day. So far the Football Association has not called for video evidence.

But Hunt has dismissed the need for any follow-up, saying: “He said he didn’t mean it and I trust him.”

Hunt added: “My legs were like Scooby-Doo’s when Murts’ picked me up. I couldn’t go anywhere. But Carsley’s a good lad. It was just one of those things.”

Reading’s seventh consecutive Premier League defeat leaves them in the relegation zone for the first time in nearly five months.

But Hunt insisted: “We are all positive and we look forward to the Villa game (in a fortnight). I wish it was this week, to be honest.

“We have to play without fear. The remaining 12 games will be all about that. We have to step up a gear and play how we know we can. We did that at Everton and were a bit unlucky not to get a result.”