Reading striker Noel Hunt has insisted that the club will miss Brian McDermott, who was sacked as manager of the Royals earlier today.

During his three-year tenure at the Madejski Stadium, McDermott managed to guide the team to the top flight of English football.

However, he was relieved of his duties with the club 19th in the Premier League standings following a run of results that has seen them win just five matches all season.

Having featured on a regular basis under McDermott, Irish centre-forward Hunt took to Twitter to pay tribute to his departing boss.

"I want to say thanks to Brian for everything he did for me especially. He's been a great manager, man and friend to me and will be missed," he wrote.

A number of managers have since been linked with the vacancy, including Paolo Di Canio and Nigel Adkins.