Reading's caretaker manager hopeful for job

(PA)

Brian McDermott has managed one win during his time in temporary charge of Reading, but the nature of that triumph makes impressive reading on a fledgling managerial CV.

The club's chairman, John Madejski, yesterday significantly refused to give any indication over the future of the 48-year-old in the wake of the club's victory over Liverpool at Anfield, but McDermott, appointed to a caretaker role following the dismissal of Brendan Rogers last month, has presented his case impressively. "There's not much more I can do to get the job full-time after that," said McDermott, formerly the club's reserve team manager and chief scout.

Reading, who were beaten 4-1 at home by Plymouth in their last league outing, lie a place and two points above the Championship's drop zone and face a tough trip to Nottingham Forest tomorrow. "We have been through a lot in recent months," said McDermott. "But now I believe our whole season can be galvanised. The chairman has told me to do the job, look after the team, and I will do that and wait. I want the job, let's see what happens.

"Everyone was jumping off the walls in the dressing room. But we must get our heads right now. We must try to carry this into our next game."