Reading boss Ruben Selles has spoken highly of Under-21 coach Noel Hunt after the Irishman joined the first-team coaching team for Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Cheltenham Town.
Hunt, who won the Championship with the Royals as a player in 2012, has taken charge of the Under-21s to great success and even had a short spell as interim first-team manager in 2023.
Four Academy youngsters made their debut at Whaddon Road on Tuesday and the outfield players had an average age of just 19-and-a-half.
As has become common in recent months where young players made up a large proportion of the squad, Hunt joined Selles and the first-team coaching staff on the bench and assisted with the warm-up.
Quizzed on Hunt's influence, Selles spoke glowingly of the popular former forward and the impact he has.
Noel Hunt here this evening with the other coaches. I say it every time but I love the cohesion between the first team and Academy. Could suggest a pretty young squad this evening #readingfc
— James Earnshaw (@james_e1871) November 5, 2024
"We know the players- they train with us- but they are his players. He knows them and he knows how to talk to them, if we need to make any variation and if they have done that before, if a player can play in a different position. I think it is important.
"The relationship with Noel and the technical staff has been fantastic because we believe that it is very important that he knows what we are doing so he can teach them in the way that we play. When they come between the first team and Under-21 it is not that big and as much as we can we want him involved with us and supporting the team. We are very happy that he can help us."
Reading host Newport County in the final EFL Trophy group stage fixture on Tuesday, with lots of youngsters expected to be involved.
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