90TH MINUTE WINNER

‘If it was down to me, I would sign today’

MIDFIELDER Tyrese Fornah has admitted that he would ‘love’ to sign for the Royals if given the chance this summer.

The 23-year-old is currently on loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Forest have been on a spending spree since winning promotion last season and have signed 30 players throughout the summer and January transfer windows.

Meanwhile, Fornah has played 23 Championship games so far this season during his loan stint.

When speaking about Reading being a potential permanent home, Fornah said: “I would love to (sign permanently) if it was down to me, I would literally sign today.

“There’s a bigger picture between the two clubs but I do hope my future is here long term.

“I’m not thinking about it now and I’ll wait until the summer, but now for me is just about performing, getting back into the team and playing well.

“That’s my main focus. I don’t care about anything else, I just care about playing and I’m trying to get as many minutes as I can, play well and hopefully get a few goals as well.”

Rotherham had a golden chance to double their money just before half-time when Fosu flashed a cross into the box that was met first time by Hakeem Odoffin who blazed over the target.

As the half-time whistle sounded, the home crowd voiced their frustrations with the Royals needing a much improved display to turn the game around.

The poor first-half prompted Ince to make a double switch before the restart.

Tyrese Fornah and Femi Azeez replaced Hoilett and Long.

Early in the half, substitutes

Azeez and Guinness-Walker

Preview

combined down the left to win a free-kick.

It proved to be the catalyst for the leveller as Azeez floated a freekick in the direction of Carroll who rose high and sent a bullet header into the corner.

Azeez continued to cause problems for the Rotherham defence and after he skipped past a defender his blasted shot at the near post had to be parried away.

Rotherham reminded that they still posed a threat on the break and they went route one to find Washington’s run, but Naby Sarr did just enough to get back and make

Fornah directs his header past the keeper to become the match winner a vital block before the forward scuffed the rebound wide.

Tyrese Fornah looked to hit what would have been a stunning volley had it slammed into the top corner, but he sliced a tricky chance off target.

With the game about to head into stoppage time, Fornah came up with his best moment yet in a Reading shirt to head in from close range to put his side in front.

The Royals held on to add three points to take them further away from the relegation zone. Reading climb up to 13th place, 12 points above the relegation zone.

Royals Hope To Fix Away Problems On Friday Night Trip

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING will be hoping to correct their dismal away form against relegation battling Cardiff City on Friday night.

In front of the Sky Sports cameras, the Royals will be looking to build some momentum having notched a late winner at home to Rotherham in midweek courtesy of Tyrese Fornah’s 90th minute goal.

However, Paul Ince’s men have struggled on their travels this season.

They have picked up just 11 points from 16 away games which gives them the second worst away record in the Championship.

That is in contrast to their outstanding home form which has kept them from getting dragged into a relegation battle thus far with 30 points from 15 matches giving them the third best home form in the division.

The Bluebirds will also be seeking to go on a winning run having collected their first league victory in 12 matches with a win at Birmingham City on Tuesday.

Cardiff’s dreadful form means they are in the midst of a relegation dogfight, but they did their chances of escaping the world of good by halting their long winless streak with late strikes from Perry Ng and Callum Robinson.

That result means Cardiff are one place above the drop zone on 32 points, nine points behind Reading.

Sabri Lamouuchi, who was appointed as Cardiff boss in January, has the task of lifiting the team clear of the relegation places.

He will have to improve their home form if he is to do so. Cardiff have won just four of their 16 matches at the Cardiff City Stadium this campaign

In the reverse fixture in August, Reading completed a turnaround to take three points.

Callum O’Dowda gave the Bluebirds an early breakthrough, but a Shane Long penalty put the hosts level before a Tom Ince stunner earned the home team victory.

Reading were also victorious on their last visit to the Welsh capital in October 2021 where former Cardiff player Junior Hoilett scored the only goal of the contest.

Fornah spent six years at the Reading academy having joined the club in 2012 before he left to join Brighton & Hove Albion and then Nottingham Forest.

The midfielder has had loan spells with Casa Pia, Plymouth Argyle and Shrewsbury Town before making the step up to play Championship football back with Reading this season under Paul Ince.

He continued: “It’s been tough for numerous reasons. I’ve been injured and then come back and not played as much as I would have liked, but as a young player I’m developing and there will be ups and downs.

“It’s about being level headed, keep believing in myself and working hard and prove myself to the gaffer and the club that I’m capable of playing in the league.

“This year was my first real injury, even as a youth team player I never got injured so it shows how hard the Championship is.

“It’s all a learning curve for me. I want to show fans what I can do.

“The ability is there, I know what I can do with the ball, but I need more belief in myself.

“The way I am as a character I’m a bit timid and shy so I need to come out of my shell more and that’s showing in games.”