Reading FC boss on Joe Morrell trial and Josh Bowler talk.

Reading manager Noel Hunt confirmed that former Portsmouth midfielder Joe Morrell is no longer on trial with the club.

The 28-year-old is a combative midfielder who has 37 caps for Wales and a League One winner’s medal after an impressive spell with Portsmouth.

However, a serious knee injury has kept him out of competitive action since 2024, and he is struggling to stay fit enough to earn a contract.

Fans were eager to see if the former Luton Town man would become a permanent fixture in Berkshire after appearing in two pre-season friendlies for the Royals this month, including a behind-closed-doors win over Swindon Town.

However, Hunt has confirmed, ahead of a meeting with former employers Pompey, that Morrell is no longer under consideration by the club. “Joe did not travel to Ireland with us.

We had the opportunity to watch Joe; he was a great character and a great guy, but he may not be what we are looking for in that area right now. We have more important positions to fill than that one.” Another rumour floating around is Nottingham Forest winger Josh Bowler.

The winger, who has never played for the Tricky Trees since his transfer in 2022, has had five loan spells in three years and appeared eight times for Luton as they were relegated last season.

The former Blackpool and Cardiff City player, who visited Bearwood this summer, fills a void for Reading as a direct and pacy winger capable of getting fans off their seats.

Hunt, who is still under contract at City Ground, declined to comment on the 26-year-old. “I don’t want to talk about players who aren’t ours; he is a Forest player.

He’s a fantastic player, a very good player, but yeah.” Reading begin their League One campaign on August 2 at Lincoln City.

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