Reading FC

Stephen Hunt will miss the tour of Sweden
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Ingimarsson and Hunt miss out on Reading FC's tour

By Jonny Fordham
July 22, 2009

Stephen Hunt and Ivar Ingimarrson won’t be on the plane as Reading fly out to Sweden this morning.

The squad will be based in Kungsbacka, just outside of Gothenburg, for their one-week training camp and will play three matches against local teams there.

Republic of Ireland international Hunt, who is desperate to leave Madejksi Stadium for the Premiership, has been carrying a groin injury for several weeks and Icelandic centre-back Ingimarsson is still recovering from a knee injury.

Royals manager Brendan Rodgers told the Post: “Stephen Hunt has a problem with his groin which has been ongoing for two or three weeks, so he needs some sort of work and that might be here. But we’ll assess that and go from there.

“Ivar won’t be coming. It’s better for him to stay here and get some specific medical work done.”

Julian Kelly has also missed the trip due to injury along with young Bulgarian Radoslav Vasilev.

Despite the injury worries, 36-year-old Rodgers can’t wait to spend more time with his young squad.

Rodgers said: “I’m looking forward to it. We’ve got three games and a wee bit of work to do, obviously we’re only a couple of weeks into our preparation still.

“We’ve had two weeks at Hogwood where the conditions have been first-class but it’s always good to go away.”

“We’ll face foreign opposition and learn new things. It takes you away from the environment and we can spend a lot of time together which is important.

“Obviously you’ve got your team bonding on the pitch, but our social bonding is very important as well.

“We’ve got a great lot of work to do on and off the field there and then we’ve got the match against Chelsea before we start the season against Nottingham Forest.”

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Absoultely agree that Murty is a model professional. My reason behind "don't forget what he has done for us" is that a lot of fans are only pointing out what he has done since January. Many of the players have said that having another player biting at there heels for their spot in the team keeps them more focused and helps with their game, so even with SHunt on the bench, he was doing his bit by pushing for Conveys spot and making Convey work harder and better for his place in the team.

Royals Fan, Reading
23/07/2009 at 09:50

RoyalsFan - IMO most fans appreciate what Hunt did for the club, arguably he had two good seasons. Last season, especially post Xmas, his form and attitude were poor and contributed towards our failure to get promoted (not the only reason, obviously). Coppell was far too loyal to Shunt and others. My concern is that if he stays he will perform like last season and will be a liability. I hope Rodgers is more ruthless and will drop him if that happens, but calling him a model professional makes me wonder. Then again did he mean model as in fashion model, given the dodgy suit he wore at Murts testimonial? Now Murts is what I would call a model professional. Hunt doesn't come close.

Biffa, Didcot
22/07/2009 at 18:16

Royals Fan: First of all, Hunt had one good season, when we finidhed 8th in the Prem. The year we went up, Convey was our left winger, Hunt was sub for the most part. Secondly, one of the only faults Coppell had as a manager, was he was too loyal to established players, so Jay was always gooing to struggle to displace Hunt after coming in mid season.

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
22/07/2009 at 16:52

If it does end up in Madejski's pockets then it's probably justified. I really do wish people would be realistic and start appreciating what Madejski has done for this club and town. Have people forgotten that the stadium cost around £50 million? Add in other costs like the training ground, academy, wages, transfers, ground improvements, etc and it is easy to see why the club is running at a loss. I would much rather we paid off these debts, became more sustainable than start adding to the debt in the hope it wins promotion. We've invested in the academy and now is the perfect chance for the kids to deliver.

As for Hunt, as Royals Fan said, no one's bid for him and people shouldn't forget what he's achieved. We all know it's best for everyone if he goes but as long as he remains and performs then I'll support him. He was hardly the only one who stopped performing and I doubt if Noel will appreciate it if his brother is abused.

Biscuitman
22/07/2009 at 16:01

According to Sky News Transfer Centre, Mcleish has denyed any links with S Hunt.

Royals Fan, Reading
22/07/2009 at 15:05

Daily Mail reports that Birmingham are set to offer £4m for him,I'd take it and run,however whats more depressing is the fact that the money will go straight into Madjeski's pocket along with the £6.5 from Wolves for Doyle,£11 Million parachute payment and the £650k sell on fee for Cox....

IVORH
22/07/2009 at 13:36

People are saying they want him to leave but for him to leave a club needs to make an offer for him.

This sport is a team game not a one person game. If one team member is not having such a good game then it needs to be looked as to why e.g. is that player being lazy or are the balls going to them over or under optimistic.

If Stephen Hunt was that bad last year then Jay Tabb should have been brought on in his place. Obviously Coppell felt Stepehen was the better player of the two. People shoul dbe having a go at Coppell too for picking the wrong player as the player.

We must also remember what Stephen has done for us over the best season of Reading FC's history.

Royals Fan, Reading
22/07/2009 at 13:22

If Shunt has been injured for 2-3 weeks why did he play in the Didcot friendly? Well I say play, he was on the pitch but didn't contribute much. He's not acting like a model pro that's for sure. He doesn't want to be here, so the sooner he goes the better.

Biffa, Didcot
22/07/2009 at 12:46

Agree with Johnny 5,I just want him to go now as I think him being around the squad will bring the team morale down.We want players that want to play for Reading

TPK, reading
22/07/2009 at 12:33

Please leave Stephen Hunt. One of the most over hyped players I have every seen play for the Royals.

Arran Dougster
22/07/2009 at 12:15

Stephen Hunt injured....injured ego more like because no one has come in for him yet. Maybe hes also realised hes not as good as he thinks he is!!! Let me know when someone comes in for him and I'll drive him there with pleasure!