'I was trying to tell him to relax': Reading boss on return of 'massive character'
Reading boss Noel Hunt admitted he was trying to tell the returning Amadou Mbengue to 'relax' with a busy festive fixture list to come.
The popular defender returned to the side after missing last week's defeat at Lincoln City with concussion and was one of the top performers in Boxing Day's 4-1 win over Northampton Town.
Regularly diving into heavy tackles and driving from back to front with the ball at his feet, 'Cheeseburger' slotted back into the side like he had never left.
"I was trying to tell him to relax- you’ve got a game in 72 hours," Hunt said after the match. "He is great, a massive character and a superb competitor. He is quick, dynamic and a real attribute to us. I thought he was outstanding today, as was Tyler Bindon and as they all were.
"Even the substitutes that came on made a difference. We had to huff and puff, Jayden came on and made a difference up front, keeping the ball and winning headers, on another day with the attacks we had we could have had one or two."
Mansfield Town visit the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday for the first time ever, with both sides hoping to increase their bids for a top six finish.
Nigel Clough's side are back in League One for the first time since 2003, last playing in Reading in April 1993.
