Robson-Kanu puts boot into Sidwell

Anthony Smith • Published 5 Mar 2010 13:00 0 Comments

Jump to first paragraph.

See also:

HAL Robson-Kanu will be reunited with his old mentor Steve Sidwell this Sunday.

Sidwell, 27, is certain to be included in the Aston Villa squad which travels to Reading for the FA Cup quarter-final.

And for Robson-Kanu it will be a chance to renew old acquaintances with former Royals midfielder Sidwell.

"I used to be Steve Sidwell's boot boy back in the day," explained Robson-Kanu, 20.

"I don't know if he's going to play but he was a great character to have around the place.

"He was part of the team that got promoted to the Premier League and we're obviously trying to emulate that.

"We can learn a lot from players like Steve."

And he added: "He used to tip me well. And he never sent his boots back for a second clean.

"He was a very good employer.

"I've got my own boot boy now. So it's nice to make that step up having been one myself."

Villa have frightening pace in their side in the shape of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

But rapid Royals trio Jimmy Kebe, Nicholas Bignall and Robson-Kanu are more than a match for any side.

"I'll back myself in a race," added Robson-Kanu, who recovered from two career-threatening knee injuries as a teenager.

"I'd say it's between me, Jimmy or Nicholas Bignall as to who is the fastest at Reading.

"But I will always back myself. There's probably not much between myself and Ashley Young for example."

Robson-Kanu, who also possesses the hardest shot at the club, is likely to be on the bench on Sunday, though he is delighted with the way his season is going.

"My aim at the start was to be amongst the squad and I feel I have been," he stated. "I feel I've made an impact when I've come on.

"I won a late penalty against Plymouth but it would be nice to get my first a winning goal.

"I'll keep plugging away and training hard and hopefully it will come soon."

Meanwhile, Royals boss McDermott will welcome back Matt Mills, Brynjar Gunnarsson, Kalifa Cisse plus striker Shane Long.

Long has served his four-match suspension and was on international duty with Ireland this week.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle