Reading midfielder Brian Howard says he and his teammates were the victims of an attempted attack by West Brom stewards.

The Daily Mail says Howard has claimed West Bromwich Albion stewards tried to attack his team's players on their coach after Wednesday's dramatic FA Cup win at The Hawthorns.

Howard says the trouble continued to boil over and stewards threatened to storm the Reading coach as they squabble with Youssof Mulumbu and then tried to manhandle him off the pitch.

"We tried to calm it down but then the stewards wouldn't let us celebrate with the fans. It was farcical.

"I tried throwing my shirt into the crowd but the steward said it could start a riot, which was ridiculous. I threw it anyway and he started to grab me. One of our fitness coaches tried to stop him and the steward gave him a dig in the ribs.

"They were incredibly aggressive and got totally carried away. They obviously get bullied at home by their wives. The power of wearing one of those bright orange jackets totally went to their heads.

"Even after the match the stewards tried to get on the coach but luckily they were stopped otherwise it would have been carnage. They started taking their jackets off and pointing at us to get off the coach and fight them.

"A few of the lads were going to get off and have a go. I thought I was outside a local boozer at one in the morning not at a football ground."

West Bromwich released a statement denying that the stewards had acted improperly. However the FA confirmed last night that they will be launching an investigation.