POOL PAIR MAKING PROGRESS

BLACKPOOL duo Daniel Gretarsson and Gary Madine have stepped up their recoveries from injury.

Defender Gretarsson, 25, is closer to a comeback after two months out with a hamstring problem, but striker Madine, 30, (groin) is also making good progress.

Head coach Neil Critchley said: “Daniel is ready to join the team for training and we’re going to have to manage him back.

“If Gary continues to have no ill-effects from the work he’s been doing, then we can progress him even further.”

READING defender Tom McIntyre has stressed the importance of versatility among the Royals squad as they bid to secure promotion.

McIntyre stepped into a midfield role during Reading’s victory over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and looked comfortable in an unfamiliar position.

And the 22-year-old said his time in the club’s academy was to thank for his adaptability.

“I really enjoyed it, because you can get on the ball a bit more and do a bit more in the centre of the park and express yourself,” he said. “I think it’s good if I can add that to my game and play in more than one position.

“I think we’ve got a smaller squad this season and we’ve had quite a few injuries so it’s been important that players can slot in elsewhere.

“I put that a lot down to my upbringing in football. Coming through the academy, they always taught us how to play in more than one position and I think that’s showing now as I feel more comfortable in different roles.”

With Reading firmly in the play-off picture, McIntyre hopes Reading can build some momentum between now and the end of the season to ensure they are part of the promotion shake-up.

“We’ve not got many games left so we need to be taking advantage of every opportunity to put a good run together,” he added.

GAVIN Whyte is

“ready to go” at Hull after overcoming a training ground injury that sidelined him for a month.

The 25-year-old Cardiff loanee came back into the starting line-up against Rochdale and scored twice in the following game against Bristol Rovers.

Winger Whyte feels he is getting back to full fitness, and said: “I felt that I was flying when I first came here.

“It was about getting back up to speed again really. I know what I’m capable of and I’m ready to go now.”