Reading boss 'proud' despite FA Cup exit but confirms long...

Defender Amadou Mbengue will be sidelined for “six to eight weeks” due to a knee injury, according to Reading

manager Noel Hunt.

After missing the team’s victory against Cambridge on New Year’s Day due to sickness, the well-liked defender made

a comeback to play in last week’s 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic.

Hunt has revealed that he will miss some time due to a knee injury and was not featured in today’s FA Cup loss to

Burnley, which ended in a 3-1 loss.

“We were unaware of Amadou’s knee injury from the Charlton game until Monday; he didn’t experience any

symptoms until late on Sunday. When we scanned it, it revealed that he was among the sick people this week. He will

be out of commission for six to eight weeks.

Zian Flemming, a star for the Clarets, came off the bench to score twice and win the match in extra time as the

Royals pushed Championship Burnley all the way in the FA Cup Third Round.

“I’m very proud of the lads, pushing a top Championship side with loads of quality and international experience,”

Hunt told the press. “Compared to our league appearances, several of them have more international experience. We

pushed a top squad into extra time, and I believe we lost because of fatigue. Many of our boys are returning from

chronic injuries and illnesses, which we have attempted to conceal, but I’m happy of a few of our performances.

“It took us a little bit of time to believe that we could go toe-to-toe. We got a fortunate break where we could speak to

them for a few seconds and tell them where we could jump in a little bit more aggressively and make it more our

game. The boys took it to them well, so I’m really pleased in how we controlled spells of the game. The discipline to

hold the pockets, our full backs not being fully fit, I’m really happy.

Flemming has been excellent this season, so you’re bringing on the best forward in the Championship. Due to their

obligation to the team, Tyler Sackey will be playing a different position and Manu will be joining at the age of 17.

They all, I believe—Ashqar coming on—did a thorough job, and they presented themselves well. There must be a

context and a reasonable look at it from a football perspective, and I’m happy with how many of our players

performed. We don’t want to be beaten; I detest being beaten and it makes me feel ill.”

Reading boss ‘proud’ despite FA Cup exit but confirms long-term injury to defender