Reading

Steve Coppell was delighted to see Reading's FA Cup journey continue after holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Since achieving their first ever top flight promotion in the summer, Reading have enjoyed a remarkable campaign and Coppell's side wrote another chapter in their fairytale story by coming from behind to take the league leaders to a replay.

Brynjar Gunnarsson was Coppell's hero after his header cancelled out Michael Carrick's opener, and the Reading boss waxed lyrical about his side after they matched their more illustrious opponents.

"The club welcomes it [the replay], this is a really nice journey for us, the FA Cup and playing the likes of Manchester United," said Coppell to Sky Sports.

"A couple of years ago it wouldn't have been thought of, and here we are, we have drawn with them twice out of three games.

"They are tremendous, and for us to be anywhere near them is a great compliment to the players."

Reading rode their luck at times but fully deserved to claim a draw after showing tremendous fighting spirit at Old Trafford.

The two clubs will now meet again at The Madejski Stadium in order to determine who is in the hat for the quarter-finals, and Coppell was delighted with the discipline his side displayed against a dangerous United side.

"Obviously it was a tough game, we knew it was going to be a tough game before the match," Coppell added.

"You look at the quality of not just individuals, but their squad, the depth of the squad. I didn't have a clue what team they would pick, and when I saw it I could just see danger.

"We had to be very, very strong and disciplined and we were.

"Coming up to half time I thought we had done really well, and then after one minute of injury time they scored.

"It could have gone either way but they had the best of the chances, I wouldn't deny that."

Reading have signed former Aston Villa right back Ulises de la Cruz to a one-year contract.

The Ecuador international joins the Premiership new boys after impressing manager Steve Coppell during a trial spell at The Madejski Stadium.

The former Hibernian defender arrives on a free transfer after his Villa contract expired at the end of last season, but he will not be in the reckoning for Saturday's trip to Wigan Athletic.

Royals boss Coppell was surprised that de la Cruz was still available for transfer before the South American became the club's third signing of the summer.

"I was quite surprised when Ulises was still available, and he is a player who has played at this level and can compete at this level," Coppell told the club's official website.

"We have a long gap between now and the Man City game, so that's an opportunity for him to settle down and get his bearings."

Ibrahima Sonko is suspended after his red card at Aston Villa, a decision the Royals chose not to appeal, so his place will be taken by Wednesday nigths replacement Brynjar Gunnarsson or new boy Sam Sodje. Glen Little is fit again but may miss out on a place in the 16 due to the form of Seol Ki Hyeon.

Wigan, who didn't play in midweek, hope to welcome back Pascal Chimbonda from injury and they also hope Lee McCulloch, Henri Camara and Leyton Baines recover from slight knocks. If the expected line up starts then 6 Wigan players will be making their home debuts.
On the last day of the 2004/2005 season, Reading needed to win and hope West Ham didn't to make the play offs whilst Wigan needed a win to go up automatically. The Royals put in an awful display and were comfortably beaten 3-1 with goals from Lee McCulloch, Jason Roberts and Nathan Ellington. Steve Sidwell pulled a goal back in the last minute but in truth most Royals fans had left by then leaving Wigan to enjoy their promotion party allowing us to focus on copying them last year but in far more style!

Seol Ki-Hyeon, Reading's million pound summer signing from Championship side Wolves, scored the only goal of the game as Reading's pre-season campaign continued with a win at Millwall. The Royals fielded a reasonably strong side but it was a long way off a first choice eleven. Lita and Seol got to try out their partnership up front with Seol scoring his goal in the first half after a defensive mistake. Federici played a full ninety minutes in goal, while the second half saw a number of fringe players make an appearance.

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