READING FC have had an offer for defender Ben Coker rejected by Southend United.

Reports in East Anglia state Royals failed to land the 27-year-old left-back with a six-figure bid.

It is believed the offer was less than £ 100,000.

Reading could now go back with a second bid for Coker after Shrimpers boss Phil Brown admitted he may have a fight on his hands to keep the player at Roots Hall.

“Ben made it clear to me at the end of last season that he wants to play at a higher level but it’s good a thing for a player to have ambition like that,” Brown told the Southend Echo.

“Obviously we would prefer him to stay with us and help us get promoted into the Championship because that’s something we all want.

“But we are faced with something of a conundrum now as a football club.

“However, one thing we definitely won’t be doing is selling Ben on the cheap.

“He has two years left on his contract with another year option on top of that so we’re in a strong position where that’s concerned.”

It is understood Reading were also tracking Coker's team-mate Ryan Leonard.

But sources suggest they failed to lodge a bid with the League One club before former boss Brian McDermott was sacked and replaced with Jaap Stam.

Royals are unlikely to rekindle their interest in 24-year-old midfielder, Leonard.

Meanwhile, Stam looks set to make his first signing as Reading boss this week with the expected arrival of 30-year-old Dutch midfielder, Joey van den Berg.

However, Royals midfield trio Danny Williams, Aaron Tshibola and Oliver Norwood have all been linked with moves away from the Madejski Stadium this summer.

Stam took charge of his first training session this morning after Reading's players returned to work from their summer break.