No christmas for Reading

Reading's players have been informed that they will not be having any Christmas Day time off and will be training on Christmas Day as part of the club's 'forget christmas policy'.

Coach Wally Downes says that picking up results and rising from 13th place in the Premier League has priority over celebrating Christmas.

"We'll be in every day over Christmas. 'Forget Christmas' is the policy this year, regardless of results," he told the club's official website.

"The players can have Christmas at the end of May on a beach somewhere! Over Christmas they can eat what they like, but they have a responsibility to their team-mates, fans and to the coaches to be in perfect nick."