Wanted man Kebe happy to remain a Royal

Anthony Smith • Published 20 Aug 2010 12:30

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READING fear Jimmy Kebe’s eye-catching start to the season has put rival clubs on red alert.

Kebe finished the previous campaign in sensational form, fuelling rumours he could return to France to sign for a top-division club.

The ex-Lens winger has also attracted interest from the Premier League but time is running out before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

So far Royals insist they have received no offers for any of their players, including midfield star Gylfi Sigurdsson who penned an improved three-year deal recently.

However, Kebe’s form during the opening weeks of the new campaign will not have gone un-noticed.

Reading assistant manager Nigel Gibbs stated: “Jimmy was fantastic over second half of last season, without a doubt. He’s come back the same this season and it is important he continues that for himself and the team.

“Whenever you are doing well and you are successful there will always be people watching, whatever level you play at.

“Jimmy will be no different. But he seems very happy here, obviously he’s enjoying his football and he’s a very important player for us.”

Royals boss Brian McDermott has already ruled out making any more signings to follow Stoke City’s Andy Griffin and Scunthorpe’s Marcus Williams due to a lack of transfer funds.

The strength of his squad has already been scrutinised following injuries in defence and attack, but the chance of reinforcements arriving appear extremely slim.

“It’s quiet everywhere, money is tight,” McDermott suggested. “There will be nothing more happening with us. We’re not in a situation to bring anybody in at this moment in time.”

Meanwhile, Royals will be trying to secure their first win of the Championship tomorrow when they host a Nottingham Forest side containing former Reading winger Nathan Tyson and ex-Royals loanee Ryan Bertrand (3pm ko).

“I know a lot about them,” declared McDermott. “They’re a good side with a great tradition.

”All I want from us is to make sure we do the basics right and give our fans something to cheer.

“That’s all that concerns me to be honest, I don’t care about anyone else.”

Jay Tabb has already been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash at the Madejski Stadium, though Matt Mills and Shane Long could both return from injuries and will undergo late fitness tests.

But the return of Noel Hunt from a 10-month injury lay-off has boosted Royals firepower.

And McDermott argued: “If we can cut out any mistakes we always have a chance because there are goals in this team.

“Simon Church, Noel Hunt, Shane Long and Grzegorz Rasiak can score goals at this level. Then you’ve got Gylfi, Jimmy and Jobi McAnuff in midfield.

“I’m confident we can score goals against anyone so the key for us is to keep clean sheets.”

Bertrand is almost certain to start for Forest and he is likely to get a warm reception from Reading fans.

The 21-year-old secured third place in the Player of the Year vote for his contribution while on loan from Chelsea.

Royals were keen on bring him back to Berkshire for a second year, but he opted to stay at Stamford Bridge to fight for his place.

In the meantime, McDermott filled the position by signing Marcus Williams from Scunthorpe United on a free-transfer.

However, Bertrand was then told his first-team chances would again be limited, so he went to Forest on loan.

“We will welcome Ryan back,” said Gibbs. “He’s gone to pastures new, he thought he would probably have more chances at Chelsea, but he hasn’t and he’s gone back out on loan.

“I believe he wanted to go back because he fancied his chanced to push Ashley Cole. But for whatever reason it didn’t happen and we weren’t sure we could get him on loan.

“To be honest it was never in the equation because we knew the left-back position was a problem for us so we made the move and we’re more than happy with bringing in Marcus Williams.”

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