Reading manager Steve Coppell has jumped to the defence of Stephen Hunt after the incident which put Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech in hospital.Hunt, making his first Premiership start, caught Cech on the head as the goalkeeper slid out to collect a throughball in the first minute.

The Czech international was stretchered off following four minutes of treatment to be replaced by Carlo Cudicini, who was also carried off later in the game.

Coppell said: "It was the first minute of the game and I have a player who has been desperate to play for a long time. It was a greasy surface and he does have a right to be there or thereabouts.

"I know 100% for sure there was no intent but there was undoubtedly a heavy collision. There is no way Hunty went in there to try to damage the goalkeeper."

Hunt denied he had been deliberately reckless and said: "I was 100% intent on winning the ball. I hope Petr Cech is not too badly hurt and I hope he makes a full recovery as soon as possible."

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