Reading

Reading
Reading boss Steve Coppell witheringly claimed he does not expect a tough job to hold on to some of his players after their failure to make the play-offs. Coppell said: "I don't think too many clubs will be busting a gut to sign any of my players during the close season. "I haven't had one call asking about my players and I don't expect that position to change. "Paul Jewell may not admit it, but I'm sure he has a wish-list of players he would like to bring in to Wigan."

Royals allow veteran duo to leave
Reading boss Steve Coppell have confirmed the expected departures of Les Ferdinand and Martin Keown as part of their summer clearout. Ricky Newman, Bas Savage and Louie Soares have also not been offered new deals by Coppell. Striker Nicky Forster has been offered a one-year extension but is weighing up his options. And Jamie Young, Darren Campbell and Simieon Howell have also all been offered one-year deals. Coppell said of the decision to let veterans Keown and Ferdinand go: "They were both brought in to do a specific job this season. We never made the play-offs and they won't be offered new deals." Former England striker Ferdinand, 38, has already hinted that he will probably call time on his career at the end of the season. Keown, 38, has made just three starts for the Royals after joining from Leicester.

Coppell hopes to strengthen squad
Reading boss Steve Coppell believes he needs to strengthen the squad in the summer if they are to improve, after just missing out on the play-offs. "We need to be stronger all round - we need extra quality, defensively and attacking-wise," the Royals manager told his club's website. "We didn't score enough goals, and it will be a harder division next season. "We need more quality when it matters - when it comes to the crunch and you're looking for a goal from nothing."

City deny Reading move for Lita
Lita has been the subject of transfer speculation Bristol City and Reading have denied newspaper reports that the Royals have made a £1m bid for striker Leroy Lita. City's chief executive Colin Sexstone told BBC Radio Bristol: "There was a very informal inquiry from Reading, probably three weeks ago. "We never received a formal written offer from Reading." Reading chief Executive Nigel Howe said: "Leroy Lita is a very good prospect and clubs are looking at him but we have not made a bid for him."

Irish star Doyle to join Reading
Republic of Ireland Under-21 player Kevin Doyle is poised to sign for Coca-Cola Championship side Reading. The Cork City striker left preparations for Friday's Under-21 clash with Israel to travel to England for a medical. Doyle, 21, is in his third season with Cork and is the club's top goalscorer this season with six goals. Stoke City, Burnley and Charlton were all believed to have made enquiries about the Wexford-born player who has been with Cork for two years. The director of the Reading's youth academy is Eamon Dolan, brother of Pat Dolan, the manager who brought Doyle to Cork.

Young could link up with Diamonds
Reading goalkeeper Jamie Young could join Rushden & Diamonds on loan for the beginning of next season. However, any deal for the 19-year-old Australian-born stopper will not be finalised until next season's transfer regulations have been determined. The proposed move would see Young link up with former Royals defender Barry Hunter, who is Rushden's manager. Young, who has been playing for England Under-20s this summer, has made just one substitute appearance for Reading.

Reading complete double Cork deal
Reading have completed the signings of Cork City striker duo Kevin Doyle and Shane Long for an undisclosed fee. Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Doyle, 21, and Under-19 international Long, 18, have both signed two-year contracts. Royals director of football Nicky Hammond said: "I am confident Kevin will have a big impact on our Championship challenge next season. "Shane is a raw talent who we hope will reach his potential in his time here." Reading beat Stoke, Burnley and Charlton to the signature of Doyle, who has scored seven goals for Cork City this season. He signed off with a brace in his farewell appearance, a 2-0 win over Finn Harps on 6 June. Long made only a handful of appearances for Cork's first team, but will be eligible to play for Reading's youth academy next season. The director of Reading's academy is Eamon Dolan, brother of Pat Dolan, the manager who brought Doyle to Cork.

Forster decides to leave Reading
Striker Nicky Forster has decided to leave Reading after scoring 67 goals in 214 senior appearances during his six-year spell at the club. The 31-year-old has rejected the offer of a new 12-month contract. "My situation is based on the fact that the length of contract offered was only 12 months," he told Reading's website. "At this stage of my career, I need more security, and a two-year deal at least. It's something I had to weigh up long and hard." Forster's League career began at Gillingham, before moves to Brentford and Birmingham - from where he joined the Royals for £650,000 in June 1999.

Todd is fuming over Hunt decision
Bradford boss Colin Todd is fuming as transfer target Stephen Hunt now looks set to join Reading instead of City. The 23-year-old winger has been released by Brentford. Todd told Bradford's website: "We had agreed terms, and he has gone back on his word. He even went for his medical before deciding to go elsewhere. "Even his agent advised him to come to Bradford. We could have offered him first-team football - at Reading he'll be a member of a very large squad." Hunt added: "I know I will leave a lot of people disappointed. I am truly sorry but I have to go where my heart takes me." "I came over (from Ireland) fully intending to sign for Bradford, but as soon as I stepped off the plane I received a call from Reading. "I have known Steve Coppell from when I was at Crystal Palace, and that is what persuaded me." The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international joined Brentford from Palace in 2001, scoring 25 goals in 136 league appearances in four seasons. Reading already have three players - Steve Sidwell, Lloyd Owusu and Ivar Ingimarsson - who played under Coppell at Brentford during the 2001/02 season, as did Hunt.

Brentford pounce to sign Newman
Brentford have signed released Reading utility player Ricky Newman. The 34-year-old worked under current Bees boss Martin Allen when he was assistant manager at the Royals. Brentford chief scout John Griffin told the Bees website: "Ricky comes here with a good reputation and I know he can hold the midfield together. "The signing is a good one for the club as Reading manager Steve Coppell was contemplating retaining him for another year in the Championship."

Ferdinand is close to retirement
Former England international Les Ferdinand says he is close to retiring. Ferdinand was on Reading's books last term but has doubts about his ability to play another season. The 38-year-old said: "The likelihood of me playing is very slim, I've done my time and it's time to let the younger players come through. "I take into account whether I can be of help to a team and get through another season. At the moment, I don't think I could do that." Ferdinand suggested he was ready to bring the curtain down on a distinguished playing career. He said: "My agent and I have had various calls about next season from different clubs and I've said the same thing to everyone. "I haven't announced my retirement yet but at this moment in time I need a bit of time to consider what to do."

Royle confirms Forster interest
Ipswich boss Joe Royle has confirmed his interest in signing striker Nicky Forster from Reading. Royle also revealed he has not given up on keeping in-demand midfielder Tommy Miller at Portman Road. He said: "Nicky Forster is definitely a player who interests us but that is all I am going to say on the subject. "Nothing is imminent. I am on holiday but I'm not completely switched off. I am still talking to Tommy, Jim Magilton and Shefki Kuqi about their contracts."

Coppell expects loan competition
Reading manager Steve Coppell expects plenty of clubs to pursue the players whom he is keen to sign on loan. "I bet every team in this division thinks 'Let's get into Arsenal, United, Liverpool and Tottenham and ask who we can have," he told the club website. "I chose to leave it last year, as I thought the players that were presented to us were not going to significantly improve our chances of promotion. "That was probably a poor choice - but we've competition from 20 clubs now."

Reading resurrect Powell interest
Reading have rekindled their interest in Crystal Palace's Darren Powell - 16 months after nearly signing him. The 29-year-old defender came close to moving to the Madejski Stadium in February 2004, but the move was put on hold over an injury worry. The Royals have now approached Palace about a fresh deal - with Powell now reportedly considering his options. Powell joined Palace from Brentford - where he played under Reading boss Steve Coppell - for £400,000 in 2002. However, he started only four Premiership games last season, and spent a month on loan at West Ham in the autumn.

Reading club president Orton dies
Reading president Frank Orton has died at the age of 91. Orton passed away on Monday at his family home in Emmer Green after suffering a heart attack. Chairman John Madejski told their website: "Frank was a lovely man and we are greatly saddened by this news. He had a deep love for Reading. "He was hugely liked and respected by everybody here at the club. Our thoughts are with Frank's wife Thelma and the rest of his family." Reading are set to hold a minute's silence in his memory before the friendly game at home to Spurs on Saturday 30 July.

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