Published: Monday, 6th October, 2008 12:00
Hunt denied Ireland opportunity
By Anthony Smith
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Hunting honours: Noel Hunt's head injury may force him to miss a big game this week.
READING’S Noel Hunt has suffered further disappointment on the international front as the head injury he received in the 3-1 victory over Burnley will keep him out of the Republic of Ireland experimental squad.
Hunt and strike partner Shane Long were both named in the Ireland XI side which is due to face Nottingham Forest in a friendly at Dublin’s Dalymount Park on Thursday.
But the in-form forward will miss the game on medical advice after being knocked unconscious in the process of scoring Reading’s opening goal last Saturday.
The £600,000 summer signing from Dundee United received a nasty blow to the temple from Burnley skipper Steve Caldwell as he headed home a Jimmy Kebe cross in the fourth minute.
Hunt, 25, played on for around 10 minutes in a clearly dazed state until he was eventually taken off by boss Steve Coppell.
Royals striker Kevin Doyle explained: “He didn’t know what he was doing or where he was. I went back for a corner kick and he didn’t know where to go and who to mark, so I thought I’d better have a word with the bench. He was still asking us who scored.”
But Noel’s brother, Stephen, joked: “He can’t remember scoring so, if he asks anyone about it, make sure to tell him that he didn’t score and I scored two.”
Hunt has undergone a series of tests this week and has been told to rest as a precaution.
Royals are not in Championship action this weekend due to international fixtures. They return on Saturday week with a trip to Preston North End.
Coppell stated: “Noel got concussion from taking a big clout on the head when he scored the goal.
“I’m not sure he realised where he was and, when he came back on, he ran about 60 yards like a lunatic which I don’t think helped. You’ve got to be careful with head injuries.”
And he added: “His goal was a terrific header - it’s just a shame he can’t remember it.”
Hunt was so groggy he could not be interviewed after Saturday’s win against Burnley which maintained Reading’s stunning 100% home record in the Championship and left them trailing new leaders Birmingham by just three points.
Stephen Hunt’s diving header from another Kebe cross put the hosts 2-0 up in the 52nd minute before substitute Long added a third on 64 minutes from Doyle’s pass.
Chris McCann grabbed a last-minute consolation for the Clarets who then saw Stephen Jordan sent off in injury time for a second booking.
Hunt’s injury is the latest blow to his hopes of joining Stephen and Doyle in Giovanni Trapattoni’s full Ireland squad.
He has been capped at Under 21 level and last year made his debut for the `B’ side but has so far been ignored, despite hitting 18 goals for Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League last season and a further six for Reading this campaign.
Hunt recently moaned: “The fact is, if I had been playing for Celtic and not Dundee United last season, then I’d have been in the Ireland squad long before now.
“It doesn’t seem to matter that it is a lot harder to score 18 goals for a mid-table side than the champions.
“It frustrated me, to be honest. That time last year, when all the players pulled out of the trip to America and I got overlooked, was annoying especially as a guy without a club got a cap.
“If I get the chance, there won’t be a prouder man in Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Hunt and Doyle will almost certainly be in the Republic of Ireland squad to face Cyprus at Croke Park on Wednesday, October 15 in a World Cup qualifier.
Brynjar Gunnarsson is in the Iceland team for a double-header against Holland and Macedonia while Andre Bikey’s Cameroon face Mauritius.
Jem Karacan could miss Turkey’s important Uefa Under two-legged play-off against Belarus through injury but Simon Church is fit for Wales U21s who face England U21s in a similar play-off with the first leg due to take place at Cardiff’s Ninian Park this Friday night (7.45pm).
MAREK Matejovsky is set to make his return from injury for Reading reserves against Plymouth reserves at the Madejski Stadium this Wednesday afternoon (2pm ko).
The Czech Republic international midfielder has been sidelined with an ankle problem since the first weekend of the season.
James Harper and Michael Duberry are nearly back to full fitness and may also feature in the game.
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