Published: Thursday, 26th June, 2008 12:00
Reading set for Sonko talks
By Charles Watts
Comments (0)
Print Article
Ibrahima Sonko has been quoted as wanting a move away from the Madejski.
READING’S director of football Nick Hammond says the club will be sitting down in the next week with Ibrahima Sonko after reports surfaced that he wants to quit the club.
Quotes from Africa attributed to the Royals centre back this week suggest he has set his sights on a move away from the Madejski Stadium.
The fans’ favourite, who was suspended by the club after he refused to play in a reserve game towards the end of last season, allegedly told the BBC his plans after scoring in Senegal’s 3-1 win over Liberia on Saturday.
He said: “I think I need a new start. I heard that the manager said he wanted to keep me but it’s time to move on. That’s what I’m going to try and do now – go back home and sort my situation out.”
Hammond, however, says he has taken the comments with a pinch of salt and is expecting the 27-year-old back in Berkshire next week when they will sit down and see what the situation is.
He said: “I have seen the quotes but you need to be a bit wary when things are picked up and come from a long distance away.
“You’re never quite sure about these sort of comments. He’s a long way away and you never know how they’ve been translated.
“He’s back in a week’s time and at that point Steve Coppell will sit down with Sonks, have a chat and see where things are.”
It will be a big blow for Reading to lose Sonko who was such an influential figure in the club’s rise to the top flight.
His last two seasons, however, were blighted by a cruciate ligament injury he picked up against Sheffield United in January 2007 which kept him out of action for nine months.
He returned in October but his form dropped and he became frustrated as he struggled to hold down a regular first team place.
Things came to a head in April when he was suspended by the club for refusing to take part in a reserve game and now he seems set for a move away with Hull City, Stoke and West Bromwich Albion all said to be interested.
“I’ve done my time with Reading,” Sonko told the BBC. “Having been there four years, the longest I’ve ever stayed at 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.”
If Sonko does move on, the loss will be softened slightly by the news that Michael Duberry has penned a new one year deal with the Royals.
The 32-year-old, who starred for Stoke in the Championship before joining Reading, featured 13 times in the top flight last season but Hammond believes he will have a big part to play in the coming campaign.
He said: “We’re really pleased about Dubes. He knows what’s required at this level to get promoted. He’s done very well for us since he’s come in.
“He didn’t feature that much last season but when called up he’s always made a big contribution so we’re really pleased to have him for another year.”
Further Details
