Published: Wednesday, 10th June, 2009 4:50pm

Royals ready to sell stars

by Anthony Smith

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READING will slash the size of their squad for next season and be forced to sell players to raise cash.

That was the message delivered by director of football Nick Hammond in the first week of Brendan Rodgers" reign.

It now seems certain that Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt will be sold this summer to generate funds so that Rodgers can re-shape the squad.

And it is believed Rodgers will attempt to raid his old club Watford and make Tommy Smith his first signing as the new Reading manager.

Hammond told the Chronicle: 'Senior players have left at the end of their contracts. It will be a smaller squad next season.

'There will have to be some dealings in the transfer market. I want to give the manager flexibility to try and bring in new players.

'It"s sad when players go especially when they have played such a big part in bringing success to the club but we feel the time is right to make these changes and to give Brendan the opportunity to make his own mark on the squad.'

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