Copps: Shorey 60/40 to Go

With speculation surrounding Nicky Shorey’s future at Reading mounting, boss Steve Coppell has admitted there is a good chance he will leave the club this week.

West Ham, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Newcastle have all been linked with a move for Shorey and it now looks like either Villa or Pompey will secure the services of the England international.

Coppell said: ‘To be fair to Nicky Shorey, he has made it clear from this time last year that he would prefer to leave and ply his trade elsewhere.

‘We as a club have an asset and it is a delicate balancing act between trying to satisfy the demands of the player and also trying to satisfy the demands of the football club.

‘We had a good talk yesterday, there was a little bit of interest last week and the chances are he will be gone by next week. I am 60-40 convinced that he will be gone.

‘The offer was a firm one but we have no need to sell anyone and I’m not going to give anyone away.

‘It has to be a realistic bid in terms of market valuation, and bear in mind that 12 months ago he was coming off the back of playing two games for England against Brazil and Germany.

‘I don’t feel disposed to let him go for nothing. I appreciate it is a year on from that particular moment, but as yet the valuation is not what we find acceptable.’

The Royals boss did say that he had a replacement lined up and Dagenham and Redbridge full back Scott Griffiths and Leicester defender Joe Mattock have both been mentioned as possible replacements for Shorey.