Harte: It’s a difficult first game

Reading defender Ian Harte has said Reading’s opening game against Stoke is a tough one, but hopes the Royals can push on from their home form last year.

From November, Brian McDermott’s side have won 12 of their 14 games at the Madejski Stadium, conceding just nine goals during that period. Tony Pulis will bring his stoke side to Berkshire for the opening game of the Premier League season, which is sure to be a tough test for both sides.

Harte told the official RFC site: ‘It’s nice to be at home for the first game; but it’s a difficult game against a team like Stoke – a big physical team. Hopefully we can keep up that home form that got us up last year. I’m looking forward to every single game – it’s a great challenge.

‘We know that we’re going to be up against big teams, the likes of Man City, Chelsea and so on – the quality of squads that they have. But we’re ready for it. I’ve been doing quite a bit of training myself and I’m looking forward to getting back and seeing all the lads.’