Contrite Hunt denies Cech intent

Reading's Stephen Hunt has denied deliberately trying to injure Petr Cech.

Cech was stretchered off with a head injury in the opening minutes of Saturday's clash following a collision with Hunt.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho slammed Hunt after the game and claimed the injury could have been life-threatening as Cech was rushed to hospital with concussion.

Cech has since had surgery on a depressed fracture to the skull and looks set for a lengthy lay-off, but Hunt insists he went into the challenge with the sole intention of winning the ball.

The 25-year-old believes replays support the claim that he did not try to harm Cech with his knee.

"I can guarantee that I did not attempt to injure Petr, and I am very upset that the collision has resulted in such a bad injury," he told Reading's official website.

"When Petr slid in to collect the ball, our momentum meant that a collision was unavoidable.

"I think the TV pictures show that the collision was a complete accident, and I'd like to think that my team-mates and opponents throughout my career would say that I'm not the type of player to deliberately hurt an opponent."

Hunt also expressed his sympathy for Cech and wished him a speedy recovery.

"Serious injury is the worst part of football and I feel terribly sorry for Petr," he said.

"I have written to him to wish him a full recovery."

Reading also issued a club statement defending Hunt against the allegations.

"We firmly believe that the collision was an unavoidable accident, a view which is supported virtually without exception by independent media observers," read the statement.

"We respect the right of Chelsea Football Club to ask The Football Association to review the incident, and we would fully co-operate with any inquiry that may take place.

"We have nothing to hide and believe that all the evidence fully vindicates Stephen Hunt."