Hunt focused on Royals

Midfielder backed by brother to put disappointment behind him

Last updated: 10th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hunt focused on Royals

Hunt: Committed

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Stephen Hunt will concentrate 100 per cent on Reading after missing out on a move to the Premier League, according to his brother Noel.

Stephen was strongly linked with Everton as the transfer deadline approached, although Steve Coppell claimed there were no late bids for the midfielder.

The Republic of Ireland international has made no secret of his desire to play in the top flight but Noel expects him to shrug off the disappointment and focus completely on giving his best for Reading.

"He's very happy here. He puts it in and he works hard," Noel told the club's official website.

"If he wasn't happy then he wouldn't do any of that or be bothered. He's a credit to himself, he works hard and gets on with the boys.

"There was lots of speculation but it's over now and he knows it's over. He will get on and concentrate on playing for Reading for the next few months.

"He will knuckle down and work hard and now he wants to show he's the best player in the league, to prove that."

Challenge

Winning promotion with Reading would guarantee both brothers Premier League football next term and Noel is backing Stephen to enjoy a successful campaign.

He said: "That's the challenge for him now. He wants Reading to go up again and knows he will be a big part of that by working.

"We talk about things, of course. He knew the story with what was going on. It's the Premiership, a big club and everybody wants to play in that league.

"He knows it's over and now it didn't happen, he's concentrating 100 per cent on Reading."

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