Howard targets Reds reunion

Anthony Smith • Published 10 Dec 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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BRIAN Howard has targeted Reading's dream FA Cup tie against Liverpool as the date for his comeback.

But the midfielder who suffered a horror facial injury recently admits he could be fit and available even before the mouthwatering third round tie against the Premier League giants on Saturday, January 2.

Whatever happens between now and then it seems nothing can stop Howard from facing the Reds and reliving one of the greatest moments of his career so far.

It came in an FA Cup fifth round tie in February 2008 when Howard, then of Barnsley, scored an injury time winner at Anfield to seal a shock 2-1 victory for the Tykes.

The 26-year-old midfielder revealed: "I've set the target for Liverpool. Obviously that's the game I really want to play in and get back for.

"But I'm still maybe aiming for Swansea on Boxing Day or the next after that at Plymouth. You've got to set yourself targets so you never know."

Howard broke his jaw in the recent defeat at Derby County after colliding with Shaun Barker.

He needed an operation to fuse the jaw together again using two metal plates but was back at Royals' training ground within days.

"I'm feeling good and the swelling has gone down loads," he explained. "There are two plates in there and the operation went well so hopefully I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

"At first it looked like I had two heads or had stored enough food in my cheeks to last a year. I see the surgeon later this week and hopefully get the all clear to start running and non-contact training next week."

Howard, though, admits his memory of the horrific incident itself is hazy.

"I don't remember a lot," he said. "I remember the corner coming in and taking an almighty whack in the face.

And he quipped: "In my seven years of first-team football I've always defended corners from the edge of the box.

"Then the manager decides to stick me near post for one game and I get this injury. My first message when I came around was to ask him to move me back to the edge of the box."

But Howard along with anyone else connected with Reading did not see the funny side when Derby mascot Rammie the Ram accused him of feigning injury at the time.

Rammie vowed to send a written apology to Howard and the club, but the ex-Southampton player confirmed: "I haven't received a letter yet and I won't be checking the mail every morning to see if he's sent it, don't worry about that.

"I heard Ben Hamer gave a him a good whack for me. That's what you want, you need good team-mates to look after you so I'm happy with that.

"Our fans have been great. I've had a lot of letters wishing me a speedy recovery and hopefully I can get out there again soon.

"Normally when players wear protective masks it's for their cheekbone whereas I broke my jaw. But because I have two plates in there it will be pretty strong. It will hurt if I get whack on it but I'll just have to man up and take it."

Howard was a spectator at Tuesday's 4-2 home defeat by Crystal Palace and he added: "It was very disappointing. As per usual, we didn't take our chances then Palace scored a couple of great goals which you can't really legislate for.

"We got punished then second-half we ran out of ideas. We've only got one fit striker at the moment and we need to work harder as a team to get more goals."

Reading host Scunthorpe United this Saturday (3pm) and the Tykes warned up for their trip to the Madejski Stadium by drawing 1-1 at Barnsley last night.

JAKE Taylor fired Reading Under 18s into the fourth round of thew FA Youth Cup with an extra time winner at Cheltenham Town.

The Wales Under 19 striker converted an Abdulai Bell-Baggie corner in the 95th minute to seal a 2-1 victory on the night.

Kyle Haynes had given the Robins the lead on the hour mark but Bell-Baggie equalised 12 minutes later with a crisp finish.

The only disappointment for Royals was an injury to captain Angus McDonald who was stretchered off.

Reading: Simon Locke, John Goddard, Carl McHugh, Frank Raymond, Angus McDonald (c) (Alex Stockinger 58), Jack Mills, Jake Taylor, Lawson D'ath, Jacob Walcott (Andrew White 90), Abdulai Bell-Baggie, Jordan Obita (Charlie Losasso 105). Subs not used: Dean Santangelo, Nick Arnold

Booked: Bell-Baggie 119

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