Published: Friday, 23rd January, 2009 9:00am

"We can win Hunt battle.'

by Anthony Smith

Comments (0) | Print | Email

Warning: getimagesize(/home/cfpdigi/public_html/images/54/1232621241.jpg) [function.getimagesize]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/cfpdigi/includesfolder/live/functions/editorial/articleFunctions.inc on line 195

New kid on the block: But is Jay Tabb a replacement for Stephen Hunt?

KEVIN Doyle desperately hopes the signing of Jay Tabb does not clear the way for Stephen Hunt's departure.

Speculation is rife that Tottenham and Wigan are about to make lucrative offers for the 27-year-old left-winger.

Hunt signed a contract extension with Royals last February until summer 2011 but a clause allows him to speak with any club which bids £5 million or more.

A number of Reading's regular first-team players also have similar clauses in their existing deals.

But 17-goal leading scorer Doyle believes Hunt is central to Reading's success this season as they attempt to bounce straight back to the Premier League.

"I hope we don't lose Hunty," he declared. "Obviously I don't want him to go.

"We need everyone especially someone like Hunty who has been one of our best players for a long time.

"It would be nice to still have him here over the last five months of the season."

Tabb arrived from Coventry City this week and is seen by some as Hunt's long-term replacement as the majority of his time at the Ricoh Arena was spent on the left wing.

However, it is thought boss Steve Coppell could swoop for Barnsley's Jamal Campbell-Ryce should Hunt go.

Tabb can in fact play anywhere in midfield and he even partnered Doyle up front for the Republic of Ireland under-21s.

"I played with Jay for the under-21s probably nine or 10 times," recalled Doyle. "He's technically good, works hard and can play in three or four positions which will suit us.

"I've also seen him play in central midfield or on the left wing and he can play up front or drop into the hole like an attacking midfielder.

"But his main position is left-wing. He's played there for Coventry and it was his main position for Ireland.

"This is a very good move for him, To be fair, he was at a decent-sized club at Coventry. He's sort of Irish, a 'Plastic Paddy' and he's played for Brentford so he's got a very good chance of playing for Reading. He knows a few of us already so it should be easy for him to settle in.

"It's also nice to have someone fresh in to annoy. He'll go through the usual initiation but it's good to have someone new to talk about."

Tabb should have few problems settling in as he already knows eight members of the playing and coaching staff, mostly through Reading's strong links with Brentford.

The 24-year-old, who will wear the number 37 shirt, explained: "It's crazy. There are a lot of Irish lads here and I've met most of them.

"There are some familiar faces so it's probably a little easier for me to settle in rather than go into a new team.

"I know Ivar Ingimarsson, Stephen Hunt, Shane Long, Kevin Doyle, Sam Sodje, Steve Coppell, Geoff Taylor (scout) and Wally Downes.

"On a serious note, every player Steve Coppell has brought here has improved. They come on in bundles so that's what I'm looking to do.

"I had to step it up when I left Brentford for Coventry and I'm going to have to do even more here. First of all, I've got to prove myself to my team-mates in training then prove myself to the manager and fans.

"Hopefully that won't take too long. I'm relishing the challenge and I'm ready to get stuck in."

Tabb, if selected, could make his Reading debut in Tuesday night's promotion battle with Wolves at the Madejski Stadium.

He said: "It's a massive game. Birmingham are playing Derby so if we win and they lose it could be a great night for us.

"It's going to take a lot of preparation and I may not even be involved. But it will be massive and then it's QPR the following Saturday which is another big one. It's going to be a really tough run-in but I'm sure the lads will relish the challenge."

Tabb, though, admits he did not expect Reading to slip to a 2-0 defeat at Swansea last Saturday: "I was surprised but everyone who plays Swansea says they are a good team because they cause opponents a lot of problems.

"I'm sure it was just a blip for us. You can tell from the character of the players in the dressing room that they won't let it affect them and they will bounce back straight away."