Reading's Stephen Hunt has forgiven his Republic of Ireland team-mate Lee Carsley for the challenge which left him in agony after the Everton midfielder connected just above the knee in Royals' 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Furious Hunt had to be restrained by his skipper Graeme Murty but the midfielder reveals he shook hands with Carsley after the game and insists there are no hard feelings.

The incident was missed by referee Mark Halsey, who did not issue a caution to Carsley, but it was spotlighted on BBC's Match of the Day. So far the Football Association has not called for video evidence.

But Hunt has dismissed the need for any follow-up, telling the Reading Evening Post: "He said he didn't mean it and I trust him."

Hunt added: "My legs were like Scooby-Doo's when 'Murts' picked me up. I couldn't go anywhere. But Carsley's a good lad. It was just one of those things."

Reading's seventh consecutive Premier League defeat leaves them in the relegation zone for the first time in nearly five months - and they must wait nearly two weeks for the next chance to do anything about it when they are at home to in-form Villa.

But Hunt insisted: "We are all positive and we look forward to the Villa game. I wish it was this week, to be honest.

"We have to play without fear. The remaining 12 games will be all about that. We have to step up a gear and play how we know we can. We did that at Everton and were a bit unlucky not to get a result."