West Ham United Football Club

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35595

Coppell expects Shorey exit

03 Aug 2008 - 08:57:03

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Reading boss Steve Coppell believes it is more likely than not that left-back Nicky Shorey will leave the club in the coming week.

The 27-year-old England international is thought to be a target for both West Ham United and Portsmouth and Coppell is seemingly resigned to losing one of his star players.

He 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 have had a good talk, 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.

"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."