Reading Football Club News

• Nickname:Royals
• Founded:1871
• Manager:Brian McDermott

• Ground:Madejski Stadium
• Capacity:24,200

Coppell shuns Hunt offer

02 Jan 2008 - 09:43:30

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Reading boss Steve Coppell has voiced his disapproval at Sunderland making public their recent £2.5million bid for Royals midfielder Stephen Hunt.

The Black Cats had been keen to add the 26-year-old Irishman to their ranks for their battle to avoid the drop, but Coppell is in no mood to broker a deal.

He told the club's official website: "I think there's been a bid, but there is no way Stephen Hunt will be leaving this club at this moment in time.

"He is typical of what we are about. He was a free transfer from Brentford and is somebody that has something to prove on a game-by-game basis.

"As far as I am concerned, he has been one of our key players for 18 months.

"I would like to go back to the old way of doing business where you phone people up and use the old verbal communication.

"I won't make comments on anyone else and it won't do me any favours, but I would like to think when we buy players we do business the old-fashioned way."

Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has had his contract extended until the end of next season, having made his 20th league appearance of the current campaign in the 2-0 defeat by Portsmouth.