Howard wary of Cobblers threat

Sportsdesk • Published 24 Aug 2010 12:30

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BRIAN Howard has warned his Royals team-mates they cannot drop their guard in tonight’s Carling Cup second round clash against Northampton Town (8pm ko).

Reading may not have won in the Championship this term, but they remain strong favourites to brush aside the League Two Cobblers at the Madejski Stadium.

That would see Brian McDermott’s side through to the third round where they will be hoping to secure a money-spinning fixture against Premier League opposition when the draw is made this Saturday.

But Howard knows that first they must navigate their way past tricky opposition in Northampton Town.

“It will be a tough game,” there’s no doubt about that,” said the 27-year-old midfielder. “It’s a big draw for Northampton and it’s a chance for players from the lower leagues to really test themselves against teams from a higher division.

“It will be a good cup game and we will have to prepare properly because there are no easy games.”

Royals needed a Grzegorz Rasiak goal 20 seconds before the end of extra-time to see off Torquay United at Plainmoor in the last round.

And while Rasiak has now departed for Cyprus, tonight’s game could see the long-awaited return of striker Noel Hunt, who is back from a 10-month injury lay-off.

McDermott is likely to tinker with the team which started against Nottingham Forest in the 1-1 home draw at the weekend, with goalkeeper Ben Hamer and attacking trio Michail Antonio, Hal Robson-Kanu and Simon Church also in the frame.

But Jay Tabb (ankle), Andy Griffin (hamstring), captain Ivar Ingimarsson (hamstring) are ruled out, with Tabb facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following surgery yesterday.

Nevertheless, stand-in skipper Matt Mills has spoken of the importance a victory could have on results for the rest of the campaign.

Reading’s historic FA Cup run last season when they beat Liverpool on their way to the club’s first quarter-final in 83 years also provided the catalyst for a dramatic improvement in league form.

“The FA Cup last year was a massive springboard for the team,” stated Mills. “If we can win in the Carling Cup it will breed that vital winning mentality.”

The Cobblers, meanwhile, are missing John Johnson, Craig Hinton, Liam Davis and goalkeeper Chris Dunn.

Tickets for tonight’s clash are still available priced from £12 adults to £5 Under 16s.

SEE the Chronicle website for live coverage of tonight’s cup clash with Northampton Town.

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