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Sky Bet Championship: Steve Clarke hopes to recall Glenny Murray for Reading after win

Steve Clarke
Image: Steve Clarke: Wants to keep Glenn Murray at the club

Reading manager Steve Clarke is hoping to keep joint-top goalscorer Glenn Murray at the club after his loan deal from Crystal Palace expired following the 2-1 victory over Norwich.

Murray was due to return to Palace in the new year, but with manager Neil Warnock sacked on Saturday, Clarke knows that any new deal may now be delayed until a successor is appointed.

"I've been really pleased with Glenn," Clarke said. "He's contributed with goals and contributed with good performances.

"There is a structure in place where we can try to do a deal. But now that Neil has gone, it puts us in a little bit of limbo.

"I would like to get Glenn back if I can and he knows that. We have to speak to Palace to decide. All parties would probably prefer a permanent deal and it's something we're really going to try to make happen."

On Reading's win over Norwich - Clarke's first victory in three games since succeeding Nigel Adkins - he said: "I'm very happy but not so much for me but the team. They've given me a lot in those three games.

"I thought we were the better team and deserved to win. I can enjoy a nice glass of red tonight. It always tastes better when you win."

Reading had been in poor form and had won only one of their previous seven games - 2-1 over Norwich at Carrow Road last month.

In contrast, Norwich were unbeaten in four matches and had scored 14 goals in the process, including a 6-1 home win over Millwall on Boxing Day.

Neither side created any meaningful chances in the scrappy opening exchanges but Reading went ahead in the 25th minute.

Michael Hector tangled with Bradley Johnson as he challenged for an Oliver Norwood corner and referee James Linington pointed to the spot and booked Johnson.

Hal Robson-Kanu coolly converted the penalty, sending Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy the wrong way. It was Reading's first goal at home in four games.

Nine minutes later Reading were 2-0 ahead. Murray crossed from the right and Simon Cox controlled the ball first and then planted a crisp shot past Ruddy for his eighth goal of the season.

Norwich improved after the break but needed a bizarre incident to help them reduce the deficit in the 71st minute.

Home winger Garath McCleary limped off injured but Linington restarted play without allowing Reading to bring on a replacement, and Norwich took full advantage, as Johnson scored with a powerful 20-yard drive.

The Reading players were furious but only then would Linington allow McCleary to be replaced by Jamie Mackie.

"For some reason, the referee wouldn't let us make that change," Clarke said. "We lost a goal with 10 men. It was quite extraordinary."

Yet Norwich could not find an equaliser, much to manager Neil Adams' dismay.

"We were just not good enough today," he said. "Our quality was lacking and it was a poor performance.

"At 2-0 down at half-time, we were always chasing the game. But even when we got a goal back we never looked like drawing or winning.

"It may look like we lost narrowly but we have to be better than that. We just weren't at it today. I was waiting for us to turn the screw but it didn't happen."

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