Roberts wants Pog partnership

Reading striker Jason Roberts has said that the Royals have a great chance of surviving in the Premier League and that he hopes to form a notable partnership with new striker Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The 34-year old joined the Royals back in January and has since, helped them to promotion to the Premier League with some fine, experienced performances. Reading boss Brian McDermott has made some shrewd movements in the transfer market this summer, especially the acquisition of Russian forward Pavel Pogrebnyak, who Roberts hopes to play alongside on his return to Premier League football.

Speaking to SkySports, Roberts said: 'We have to believe that we are good enough. We have got some good players who have played in the Premier League before and that is a bonus for us. It is an exciting time for everyone at the club. When you look at the side you do not know what the starting XI is going to be and that is where you have to be if you are attacking a league as competitive as the Premier League.'

'We played two up front last year and hopefully we will continue to do that. Pogrebnyak is a big name player who has come in and I would like to see myself up front with him. But there are other players here like Noel Hunt, Adam Le Fondre and Simon Church and other players who have helped the club be where they are today as well as the Pog. They will want to take their chances, as will I.'

Roberts will not play a part in tonight's friendly against Brighton, as he is currently nursing a calf problem. However, the former Blackburn forward is likely to be fit for the first game of the season against Stoke, despite him only likely to gain a place on the bench. Do Reading fans feel that Roberts should start up front with Pog? Or do Alfie, Hunt or Church deserve to start instead?

Wiki page: Jason Roberts

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