McDermott preparing summer swoop for Posh striker?

Anthony Smith • Published 2 Mar 2010 13:00 0 Comments

READING boss Brian McDermott has not ruled out a summer swoop for Peterborough United's unsettled striker Craig Mackail-Smith.

McDermott made a recent attempt to bring the 26-year-old to the Madejski Stadium on loan for the remainder of the season to boost his side's firepower.

But Posh turned down the approach and also rejected two further enquiries from Championship rivals Leicester City and Watford.

However, McDermott is clearly keen on the Watford-born forward who has cracked 50 goals in 127 league appearances for the Posh.

Mackail-Smith, who has eight goals this season, played non-league football for St Albans City, Arlesey Town and Dagenham and Redbridge before Peterborough snapped him up for £125,000.

McDermott said: "We think he's a good player but we made an enquiry and it didn't happen.

"If you have the chance to get a decent player you try and do it.

"There were a few clubs interested and we were one of them."

And when asked if Reading will try to land Mackail-Smith in the summer when his contract expires, McDermott replied: "I have no idea."

Peterborough are rock bottom of the Championship and 10 points from safety but the club are clinging on to the faint survival hopes.

Their Director of football Barry Fry said: "The chairman believes in the great escape. He believes we have a genuine chance to achieve the impossible and wants to try to keep the players at the football club.

"We have therefore turned down three offers to take Craig on loan."

Meanwhile, tickets for Reading's historic FA Cup quarter final against Aston Villa are selling like hot cakes.

More than 10,000 season ticket holders have already secured their seats for Sunday's mouthwatering clash at Madejski Stadium (1.45pm ko).

They were going quickly on Tuesday morning when they went on general sale to club members and, with Villa set to bring around 4,000 of their fans, it is likely to be a sell-out.

It is Reading's best run in the competition for 83 years, with a place at Wembley in the semi final up for grabs to the winner.

And to whet supporters' appetite, the official FA Cup Trophy Tour will be stopping off at MadejskI Stadium from 3pm until 7pm this Friday.

The free, interactive tour gives fans of all ages the chance to sample the history and magic of the world's most famous domestic cup competition.

To secure a place you need to register at www.facuptrophytour.co.uk.

To buy seats for the game phone 0844 249 1871 or visit www.readingfc.co.uk or call into the stadium ticket office.

***** SHANE Long is set to return from his four-game ban and feature in the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium tonight (Tuesday, 8.05pm ko).

The 23-year-old Reading striker was suspended for four games for picking up his second straight red of the season in the 2-2 FA Cup draw against West Bromwich Albion on February 13.

That has now passed and striker Long will be eager to come off the bench against Brazil tonight to sharpen up for Sunday's FA Cup quarter final against Aston Villa.

Adam Federici (Australia), Simon Church (Wales), Zurab Khizanishvili (Georgia), Brynjar Gunnarsson (Iceland), Ryan Bertrand (England U21s) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland U21s) are also on international duty *****

Tweet

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle