"Prem is place to be'

Anthony Smith • Published 3 Jul 2008 11:00 0 Comments

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STEPHEN Hunt's future has been cast further into doubt following news the Royals winger will not be rejoining his team-mates for the start of pre-season training today (Thursday).

The official line is that Hunt, along with six of his club colleagues, require extra rest as his Republic of Ireland commitments cut short his summer break to a little over three weeks, while most players put their feet up for twice as long.

However, his absence will only fuel speculation that the 26-year-old is on his way out - with Sunderland leading the chase.

Royals rejected three bids of up to £5 million from Black Cats boss Roy Keane in January but the Irishman is certain to come back with more.

A possible £10 million swoop for Hunt plus Royals striker Kevin Doyle could also be on the cards.

Speaking exclusively to The Chronicle, Hunt said: "I'm having a bit of a longer break because I only finished with Ireland three-and-a-half weeks ago.

"Since then I've been married too, so I'm having a rest then will hopefully join up with everyone a bit later. I've been doing bits and pieces to keep fit like playing lots of tennis and golf and I feel in good shape.

"But you miss the football to be fair. You can't beat going training with your mates and having a good time."

Hunt, voted Reading's Player of the Year last season, insists he has ignored the recent speculation surrounding his future.

But the straight-talking star admits every player at Reading would find it difficult to resist the overtures of a Premier League club. So far Glen Little is the only player to have left for a top-flight club following his switch to Portsmouth but Nicky Shorey, James Harper, Dave Kitson, Leroy Lita and Ibrahima Sonko are also attracting interest.

Hunt declared: "I've completely switched off from all the speculation over the last three or four weeks.

"I work on the basis that if anything is going to happen, I will be informed. All the other stuff you read in the papers is rubbish. If nothing does happen then I will make sure I am ready to play for Reading.

"But every Reading player wants to play in the Premier League, and that's the truth. Don't get me wrong, players are happy here, the facilities are great and we've got an excellent training ground.

"But if anybody said they do not want to play in the Premier League they'd be lying.

"Personally, I love it around here. It's a great area to live in, we've got a terrific manager in Steve Coppell and the fans are superb.

"It's not that people aren't happy but everyone wants to play at the highest level."

And he added: "It's a short career and I think fans would appreciate it more if players were more honest about these things. Supporters aren't stupid and it makes more sense if they know what's going on.

"But I don't want to generalise here. Some players might be happy to stay at Reading, especially those just starting their careers or those coming to an end.

"I suppose only time will tell who stays and goes but I'm sure we will know more by the end of the month.

"Nearly every player has been linked with some other club and there is bound to be interest because I don't think we should have been relegated. But it happened and we've got to deal with the consequences of that."

Little was poised to sign a new contract with Reading when Pompey boss Harry Redknapp called out of the blue.

"I spoke with Glen and wished him all the best," revealed Hunt. "He's a good player and he showed his ability in the Premier League the season before last.

"He was out of contract and he maximised his situation to get a move back to the Premier League.

"He had a couple of clubs chasing him but as soon as Pompey were interested it was a straightforward decision.

"It's great for him but sad for Reading. However, hopefully we will replace him with a new player or maybe it's time for Jimmy Kebe to step up to the plate."

Royals are second favourites with most bookmakers to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

And they launch their Championship season away to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on Sunday, August 10 in a live televised game.

"It's a tough start," admitted Hunt. "We've been relegated and Forest have been promoted and those are always tough games to call. Hopefully we'll get off to a flyer and start play like I know we can again.

"Any team that gets relegated from the Premier League are almost expected to go straight back up and it's the same with us.

"That brings its pressures and we will have to deal with those."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 03 Jul 08

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