Carlton Cole targets John Terry

Carlton Cole claims he is about to make John Terry’s nightmare season even worse.

Read Full Story

Have Your Shout

O'Neill backs Young and Agbonlahor for England

Martin O’Neill has told his sprint kings it is not too late to fast-track their way into the England squad.

Read Full Story

Have Your Shout

Rio Ferdinand hails Manchester United

MANCHESTER UNITED have the look of cold-eyed killers – and that is bad news for tomorrow’s visitors Fulham and their next opponents in the Champions League.

Read Full Story

Have Your Shout

Get posting in the Star Forums!

You can join the debate and post your own views in the lively Daily Star Forums!

HOWARD KEEPS FIGHTING FOR READING

ABOVE: Brian Howard is out to fight for Reading's survival

8th February 2010

By Steve Masters

Your Shout ( 0 )

DONCASTER 1 READING 2

Brian Howard has been bending his boss Brian McDermott’s ear for weeks for the chance to make an impact on Reading’s relegation battle.

And his ear-bashing paid huge dividends to bring Reading’s first back-to-back wins of the season.

Howard proved that Reading’s relegation scrap is well and truly alive and kicking with a class performance that dumped Doncaster further in the mire.

The loanee from Sheffield United had not started a game since November because of a broken jaw – but grabbed one goal and set up another for Shane Long.

It was not enough to haul Reading out of the drop zone, but it ensured they could cope with a late Doncaster fightback after the sending off of former Rovers defender Matt Mills.

And it was just rewards for Howard, who has been giving McDermott a hard time on the training ground in recent weeks.

“I have been having a moan at Brian about not being in the team. I think he must have got sick of me complaining,” said Howard.

“All I have wanted is a chance to get involved and help the club get out of the relegation zone. Thankfully he gave me a go.

“We all want to get out of the mess that we are in.”

Howard’s 77th-minute strike was set up by rejuvenated Republic of Ireland striker Long to repay a first half favour.

Long had headed Howard’s cross past Neil Sullivan for the opener and his third goal of an injury-hit season.

And the pair look to have the kind of firepower that McDermott needs to drag Reading away from the drop zone.

But while Reading are on the up, Doncaster are dropping like a stone.

The sending- off of Mills for a deliberate handball gave Billy Sharp his 11th goal of the season from the penalty spot, but it was not enough to save Sean O’Driscoll’s men.

Doncaster’s former Reading man John Oster admitted: “It is a concern and we can’t seem to keep a clean sheet at the moment.

“We don’t want to get dragged into trouble.”

» MORE 'FOOTBALL' HERE...