Published: Friday, 12th September, 2008 1:00pm

Hunt: `Supersub's not for me'

by Anthony Smith

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NOEL Hunt is banking on Steve Coppell's squad rotation policy to offer him a route into Reading's starting XI.

Royals face a gruelling schedule of seven games in 21 days between international breaks starting at Ipswich Town this Saturday.

They also host Sheffield Wednesday at the Madejski Stadium next Tuesday night as the action comes thick and fast.

Coppell will need to call on all his resources to cope with the demands as Michael Duberry, Marek Matejovsky, Kalifa Cisse and Brynjar Gunnarsson all out injured.

And there are question marks over the fitness of Republic of Ireland duo Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle after the pair played two World Cup qualifiers in the space of five days.

The younger Hunt is yet to earn himself a start in the Championship since his £600,000 summer move from Dundee United for whom he cracked 18 goals last season in the Scottish Premier League.

However, he started and scored in both Carling Cup victories against Dagenham and Redbridge and then Luton Town.

"It's been a stepping stone for me," admitted the 25-year-old Irish striker. "It was the same in the League of Ireland when I started by coming on as a sub. Then I went to Dunfermline and did it again.

"But I started more games at Dundee United. I did it for five or six years in Scotland and I know what to do.

"So this is another learning curve and if I have to be a substitute I will do that because it's a team game.

"We have a lot of matches over the next six weeks and the manager will use everybody, especially if we get injuries."

Doyle and Leroy Lita began the season as Coppell's first-choice partnership, though Shane Long replaced Lita in the 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace almost two weeks ago.

If Doyle is fit the pair are likely to start at Ipswich and Hunt is certain to be amongst the substitutes.

He added: "We've got a big squad. It's easy to come on in games, run about and be busy for the last 20 minutes but it's harder when you start.

"I respect Kevin, Shane and the boys. They worked their socks off against Crystal Palace. When I came on a few of their players were tired which was great.

"Obviously everyone wants to start and it would be great for me. But if I don't I will get my head down and work even harder."

However, Hunt insists he can sharpen up in front of goal after missing a couple of decent chances to score against Palace.

"By my own standards I could and should have scored a couple," he admitted. "I was disappointed afterwards with a few things I thought too much about that normally I would just do.

"Most importantly we won. It was another three points and we're sitting there nice and quiet and we're winning games. With our squad we will go to Ipswich expecting to win."

Hunt also dreams of joining brother Stephen, Doyle and Long in the Republic of Ireland squad one day.

But he admitted: "I need to be playing for Reading first then maybe I'll get spotted . Hopefully the day isn't too far ahead because it would be a great honour to play for Ireland and with my brother again. It would be another chapter in the book."