Reading go into their Coca-Cola Cup quarter final with Middlesbrough knowing they will not have to deal with Brazilian Emerson.

Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson has ruled Emerson out of the match for failing to return to Teesside after a Christmas holiday in Brazil.

Emerson was also fined, banned from training and ruled out of Saturday's league game.

Robson said: "It is a serious issue. We will decide whether Emerson plays for this club again, not him.

"We want people who will play for the club. My players have put in some good performances, so it's annoying that all the talk is about Emerson."

Lamb is prepared to offload Emerson if they can recoup the £4 million they paid for him in 1996.

There has been speculation linking Emerson to Spanish first division side Tenerife but Middlesbrough have received no official bid for him.

Reading manager Terry Bullivant hopes to overturn the form book when they entertain Middlesbrough.

Top of the table Middlesbrough thrashed Reading 4-0 in the league meeting between the two sides at the Riverside Stadium earlier this season.

Boro have lost just twice on their travels so far this season.

Bullivant said: "Even though we lost heavily at Middlesbrough in the league we were holding them until the closing stages and I am confident we can win."
 

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