Reading interim boss Noel Hunt waxed lyrical on working with former teammate Shane Long as the side fight for Championship survival.

The Irish pair had three years together with the Royals from 2008 until 2011, not to mention international camps with Republic of Ireland.

Long, now 36, has scored two goals for the club since his emotional return over the summer.

Recovering from injury, the veteran was a second-half substitute in last week's 2-1 defeat to Coventry City.

Talking about the dynamic of managing a friend, Hunt said: "It’s been fine, he’s such a good guy. I pulled him the other day for a chat, and he was laughing saying you don’t need to pull me, you’ve got enough on your plate. He’s one of the nicest people you will ever meet, regardless of what he does for a living. You can’t get a more honest or genuine guy. I try to surround myself with good people because it’s the way I want to live my life, and he’s definitely one of them. To have him on board is a massive plus."

Out of contract over the summer, the former Southampton star can play a big part in the club's survival bid over the remaining two matches.