NOEL Hunt is hoping former team-mate Chris Armstrong will receive 'a proper tribute' when he leads out the Royals and Sheffield United at the Madejski Stadium today (3pm ko).

Armstrong, 28, was forced to retire from professional football earlier this year after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

With the season drawing to a close, the Sheffield United match will be the perfect occasion for the fans to thank ex-Blade Armstrong for his efforts and Hunt hopes he receives a suitable send-off.

"It's a fitting tribute and absolutely the least we could do," said Hunt.

"When you think about what he's done for club and the way he bounced back, the boy is a machine. I saw the way he was in training and the way he was always in the gym conducting himself.

"He's one of the nicest guys I've ever met in my life and hopefully everyone can give him a proper tribute. You don't do this kind of thing for everyone but you get a guy as nice and unassuming as Chris then you need to get it done."

Representatives from each club will present Chris with framed autographed shirts before the game, while a collection will also take place on the day of the match for the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre.

ROYALS reserves earned an emphatic 8-0 win over Exeter City in a friendly game at Hogwood on Tuesday afternoon.

Jake Taylor and Nicholas Bignall bagged a hat-trick and a brace respectively while Abdula Bell-Baggie, Ethan Gage and Lawson D'Ath also helped themselves to goals.

READING defender Sean Morrison has been recalled from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town after just a month.

Morrison, 20, failed to appear for Lee Clark's side as central defenders Peter Clarke and Jamie McCombe helped keep six clean sheets in seven matches.