JOHN Swift hailed Reading FC defender Chris Gunter as Royals’ unsung hero following the thrilling 1-0 Boxing Day win over Queens Park Rangers.

The Welsh record-breaking full-back put in a sensational performance, capped off by a last-ditch challenge against Rangers’ Eze in the dying moments.

Thirty-year-old Gunter, who was recently frozen out of Royals’ first-team affairs by ex-boss Jose Gomes, has been in fine form since replacing the injured Andy Yiadom.

And goal-scoring hero Swift admits he is lost for words at some of the criticism often aimed towards his teammate.

“It’s another confidence boost for Gunts,” asserted Swift.

“He puts in performance after performance and doesn’t get the recognition for it most of the time.

“Tonight he put in a last-ditch tackle against their best player and he was on a yellow card. He was even getting cramp.

“Everyone had their heart in their mouths when he [Eze] had the ball at his feet and Chris had to put that tackle in.

“It shows the quality he has defensively and he gets overlooked at times.”

Gunter is likely to remain in the side for Royals’ trip to Preston as Andy Yiadom continues his recovery from injury.