Hunt 'privileged and honoured' to be Reading boss

Noel Hunt's Reading drew 1-1 with Wycombe Wanderers in his first game in charge

Noel Hunt says he is "privileged and honoured" to be in the position he now finds himself in as Reading manager.

The Royals announced on Friday that Hunt would take over from Ruben Selles, who left to join Championship side Hull City.

He stepped into the dugout less than 24 hours after his appointment was announced and oversaw his side in a 1-1 draw against League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind," Hunt told BBC Sport.

"I'm privileged and honoured to be in this position, and I know what I've got to do is give it everything that I've got.

"We have to take it game by game and try and get to those 50 points as fast as we can. That hasn't changed from when Ruben (Selles) was here and it won't change now."

"I got a phone call asking what was I thinking, I had a really good chat with Ruben and then went back and said 'yeah I'm all in'."

Speaking after the game, former Republic of Ireland international Hunt said that since his appointment, he has had no direct contact with owner Dai Yongge or chief executive Dayong Pang.

It was head of recruitment Brian Carey who called him to ask if he was interested in the role.

In Reading's draw with Wycombe, Harvey Knibbs popped up to score the equaliser after they had gone a goal down.

The forward has been a key player during his time at the SCL stadium and now has seven goals across all competitions this season.

Knibbs said it was tough to lose Selles but the squad has faith in Hunt, who is a familiar face at the club because of his involvement with the academy.

"It's gutting (to lose Selles) with the form we've been in and the relationship we've built over the past 18 months," Knibbs told BBC Sport.

"But this group's felt adversity before and we all believe in Hunty and know his qualities.

"There was no time to feel sorry for ourselves, a new era began today and I thought we gave a great account of ourselves."

Knibbs also revealed that he is currently managing what he described as an MCL sprain.

"It's painful to play on but I can get through it while it hopefully recovers," he told BBC Sport.

Reading are next in action in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday before a home game against Blackpool on Saturday.