Sonko to Go

Royals calamity defender Ibrahima Sonko has had a dramatic change of mind and is now set on leaving the club.

The centre-back, who gave away 4 penalties last season, despite being injured for a lot of the campaign, was in trouble with boss Steve Coppell at the end of the season for refusing to play for the reserves.

Despite this, it seemed the two had sorted out their differences and Coppell was willing to give Sonko a fresh start.

The defender recently stated he was happy at the club and wanted to fight for his place. Yet after scoring for Senegal against the mighty Liberia, Sonko obviously thinks he is better than he is and now insists he wishes to leave the club.

He said, ‘I think I need a new start.

‘I heard on Friday that the manager said he would like to keep me but it’s time for me to move on.

‘That’s what I am going to try to do now – go back home and sort my situation out.

Sonko joined Reading in 2004 and was a key player in their promotion winning campaign, but the defender who proved to be out of depth in the Premier League has now been linked with a move to Premier League new comers Hull City, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

Sonko continued, ‘I’ve done my time with Reading, having been there for four years – the longest I’ve ever stayed with a club.

‘I’ve given them everything.

‘I love Reading but I need to think about myself now. ‘I’d like to join a Premiership club but there’s nothing certain yet. I’ve got to wait but with the two games I’ve just played, I hope people saw me and will make a move.`

With Reading far from short of centre-backs, the news will certainly not be a disappointment to the management or the fans, with the impressive Andre Bikey ready to fill the gap that Sonko will leave.