Zurab in showndown talks with Blackburn
Anthony Smith • Published 9 May 2010 09:00
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Return date? Zurab Khizanishvili is trying to broker a deal with Blackburn which would allow him to join Reading.
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ZURAB Khizanishvili is trying to reach a compromise with Blackburn Rovers allowing him to join Reading permanently in the summer.
The 28-year-old Georgia captain is desperate to sign for the Royals but has 12 months left on his Rovers deal.
He made 15 Championship appearances under Brian McDermott but he is unlikely to be a first-team regular at Ewood Park.
"Zurab is trying to do something with Blackburn so we will see," confirmed McDermott. "We're hopeful."
Khizanishvili could beg Blackburn to lower their asking price to a level Royals can afford.
Asked whether he will be returning, he said: "I have spoken with Brian and we hope so. But I still have a one year contract so it's 50/50.
"I have Georgia game later this month and my agent will talk with Blackburn. I can't say much else."
Royals are also confident of bringing Andy Griffin, 31, back from Stoke City next season, possibly on another long-term loan.
But Ryan Bertrand, 20, has returned to Chelsea, though he has no regrets about his 12 month stay in Berkshire. "I see young players coming on for 10 minutes here and there in the Premier League but I wouldn't swap that for what I've had," he said.
"I'd rather play week in week out in the Championship rather than get 90 minutes in an entire season.
"I will remember everything about Reading, the whole experience. It has been a pleasure to go into training every day.
"Some players don't like it but it's been so pleasing to wake up knowing you are going to a good training ground with top class people."
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