Reading FC

Nigel Gibbs: 'Return of Noel Hunt like making a new signing'
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Noel Hunt's return 'as good as a new signing'

By Matt Sadler
July 01, 2010

The return of Republic of Ireland striker Noel Hunt will be like making a new signing, claims Royals’ assistant manager Nigel Gibbs.

Hunt missed the final six months of last season after undergoing surgery on a troublesome knee problem, but has stepped up his recovery over the summer and will return to training with the rest of the squad today.

Hunt made just five starts in the Championship last season and his final game of the campaign was the 3-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on October 17.

However, Gibbs and boss Brian McDermott remain big fans of the 27-year-old and expect him to play a crucial role in Reading’s promotion push.

Gibbs said: “Noel will be back in training and joining in with everyone else. We will be monitoring him closely and we are all looking forward to having him back.

“Noel is a bubbly character to have around and he loves his football.

“He is different to all the other strikers we have and gives us another option upfront.

“He wasn’t fit for us when we took over last season and having him back is like having a new signing - you can never have too many strikers or too many different options.

“Hopefully he can get back to the form before his injury and be a key player for us.”

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Hunty will stay injury free and be the top goalscorer in the championship ... No pressure Hunty

Dick Van Dyke
01/07/2010 at 15:35

hate to say it but is he gonna be a convey, - even before the injury he never really fancied a 50/50

ajr111, swindon
01/07/2010 at 15:00

Fatbellywobblebottom u might wna learn how to type first.

Dan The Man
01/07/2010 at 13:18

Saucer of milk for 'table shaun Long'. Seriously though how many times at ythe start of the season after the 'Oh our first choice forward has bogged off to Portrsmouth' did we end up almost drawing lots to see who would play up front? If we'd only picked

Fatbellywobblebottom, Shinfield
01/07/2010 at 12:25

TSB - yes great news!!!

DocD
01/07/2010 at 12:23

longy was unlucky to get his suspension when he did thought he looked ecent enough.

nhunt has always been better though

wendy mcbrendy, crow on the thorne
01/07/2010 at 11:55

Come on EP! Keep up. Griff has signed this morning!

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
01/07/2010 at 11:50

Shane Long was brilliant in the second half of last season, being the lone front man is a very difficult job and he did it very well. Neither Church or Noel can do this lone front role.

TedBundy89, Wokingham
01/07/2010 at 11:15

Depends what formation we play, but if we stick with 4-2-3-1 then I'd take Noel Hunt over Shane Long at the top. I'd take Simon Church over Shane Long too. I'd take Nigel Gibbs over Shane Long too.