Reading manager Jose Gomes hailed the impact of Rafael Cabral and George Puscas after the duo made their first starts for the club in their narrow victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.

Cabral made a string a fine saves during normal time, when the score was 1-1, and he stopped two penalties in the shoot-out, which Reading won 4-2.

Puscas made his full debut after coming on against Hull on Saturday and scored the equaliser with an instinctive finish, as well as netting in the shoot-out.

The Portuguese also made comment about Danny Loader, who looked to be leaving the club to go to Wolves last week before a U-turn, but managed to net the winner against the Chairboys.

Gomes was very pleased with their displays and said: "It was a good game and a good moment for Puscas because he started and scored.

"It was very good for Danny Loader, even if he just played for 12 minutes. He scored the last penalty because it should have been Pele but Rafael gave the chance for Danny to win the game.

"Rafael guessed the right way on all the penalties but one. It was the kind of moment that he conquered our fans who were behind his goal and it was special night for them."

Gomes admitted that his squad practice penalties regularly and it stood them in good stead last night, with all four takers coolly netting.

He added: "We practiced twice during the week. To tell the truth I was really confident with the way Rafael saved the penalties in training as he always guessed the right way. He has some special powers."

Lucas Boye went off injured and Gomes confirmed that the doctor was monitoring his progress.

He said: "He took a kick to the knee. The doctor is checking him. He tried to carry on but he couldn't carry on.

"We will see how he is and hopefully he will be ok. He has Argentine blood and he has a thing everyone likes. He is a fighter and has the right kind of spirit."