Hunt ready for final push

Royals ace sets sights on top-flight

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 7th February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hunt ready for final push

Hunt: Eyes on the prize

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Stephen Hunt claims it will be a 'disaster' if Reading fail to secure promotion this season.

The Royals are looking to bounce back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, having suffered top-flight heartache on the final day of the 2007/08 campaign.

With over half of the season down they are well on course to achieving that target, currently sitting second in the Championship table.

Hunt is refusing to get carried away by the club's success so far, but admits that rejoining England's elite is vital to their cause.

"It will be a disaster if we're not back in the Premier League next season," the Republic of Ireland international said in the Daily Star.

"This is probably the most important three months in the club's history because it's vital we get up at the first attempt.

"And those three months are the most important of my career as well, as the Premier League is the only place to be."

Confidence

Hunt was part of the Reading side that romped to the second tier title three years ago with a record-breaking 106-point haul.

He admits that the Royals are unlikely to have things all their own way this term, but remains optimistic that Steve Coppell can guide the club back into the big time.

"I'm not as confident because then we were 20 points clear. But we have a strong mentality now and hopefully that can carry us along," added Hunt.

"With 15 games to go it is vital we keep going."