Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt insists the challenge which left Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with a depressed fracture of the skull was "a complete accident".

The Irish player, who has been strongly defended by his club, has written to the Czech Republic international to wish him a speedy recovery following the challenge, which happened during Chelsea's 1-0 win at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho claimed the challenge was deliberate but it is understood the Football Association are unlikely to take any action because of the difficulty in proving intent.

"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," said Hunt. "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 in football would say that I'm not the kind of person to deliberately hurt an opponent.

"Serious injury is the worst part of football and I feel terribly sorry for Petr. I have written to him to wish him a full recovery."

Hunt and Royals team-mate Ibrahima Sonko are almost certain to escape punishment from the FA after their controversial challenges left Cech and substitute goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini in hospital.

Cech underwent surgery at the Radcliffe Infirmary's specialist neuro-surgical unit in Oxford after the first-minute clash with Hunt.

Cudicini was carried off in the closing stages with concussion after the challenge from Sonko and the injuries have left the Premiership champions with a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their Champions League game with Barcelona on Wednesday.

Hunt has been given the total support of his club, and a statement from the Royals read: "Reading Football Club has strongly defended Stephen Hunt following allegations that he deliberately injured Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech during Saturday's game at Madejski Stadium.

"We reiterate (manager) Steve Coppell and Stephen Hunt's post-match comments that there was absolutely no intent to injure Petr. We firmly believe that the collision was an unavoidable accident, a view which is supported virtually without exception by independent media observers.

"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.

"We would also like to send our sincere wishes to Petr Cech for a full and speedy recovery."

Coppell added today: "We support Stephen 100 per cent. He is a fair and honest player, and anybody who knows him would agree that he is not the kind of person to hurt Petr Cech on purpose.

"We hope Petr makes a full recovery and is back playing soon."