McDermott: 'Players could leave.'

Anthony Smith • Published 27 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

See also:

ROYALS boss Brian McDermott is bracing himself for possible player departures before next week’s transfer deadline.

McDermott told the Chronicle that players could leave before the window closes at midnight next Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Adam Federici has been tipped for a move to the Premier League, with Tottenham and Fulham among those showing an interest.

Royals insist they have received no concrete bids for the 24-year-old Australian, but any last-minute offer would be seriously considered given he is in the final year of his contract and is yet to be offered a new deal.

In addition, star midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has been linked with Fulham while wingers Jimmy Kebe and Jobi McAnuff have been attracting interest from rival clubs.

Sigurdsson is believed to have a £3 million get-out-clause in a new three-year contract he recently signed, while Federici would command a similar fee.

McDermott was at Craven Cottage this week to see Fulham’s 6-0 demolition of Port Vale and it is though he already has several targets of his own lined up.

When asked whether he is on the verge of signing anybody, McDermott replied: “It depends what happens one way or the other and whether anyone goes. At the moment there is nothing concrete so we’ll wait and see.

“But we’ve got the weekend and Monday, Tuesday to get through so I can’t say much more.”

McDermott stressed there had been no official bid for Federici, though he admitted the situation could change over the weekend.

However, Royals’ boss is already dealing with a crippling injury list and any late sales would give him little time to find replacements.

“We’ve had no offer for Feds but with the deadline coming up who knows what will happen?” he stated. “From our point of view, if anything happens I would have to look at in-comings as well.

“Hopefully that will be something the club will agree to look at. The fact is a number of players have left this club. If things happen after the weekend we’ll have to look closely at it.”

Ben Hamer would be promoted to first-choice if Federici leaves. But both keepers did their reputations little good this week with a couple of high-profile blunders.

And Hamer revealed that his own future remains uncertain: “We’re out of the Carling Cup which is disappointing for me. The transfer window closes next week so I don’t know if I’m going to get the chance to go out on loan.

“I like it at Reading and I’d love to play for the club, but there’s a lack of football.

“I’m biding my time but I don’t think it’s happening at this moment. I suppose it all hinges on what happens to Adam.

“But I’m here waiting to be called upon or if I get the chance to go out on loan I will grasp it because I want to play.”

Yet Federici appeared to cast doubt over a move after his error against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

“I wouldn’t want to sign me at the moment, would you?” he quipped. “Any good saves you make are soon forgotten when you do something silly like that. So I’d be surprised if I hear from anyone to be honest.

“We’ll take it one game at a time in terms of the contract situation and see how we go.”

Meanwhile, Reading will be without the injured Ivar Ingimartsson, Andy Griffin, Marcus Williams, Simon Church, Jem Karacan, Michail Antonio and Julian Kelly for their trip to Leicester City tomorrow (5.20pm ko, live Sky Sports).

Jay Tabb is also out for a couple of months following ankle surgery on Monday.

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

Follow @rdgchronicle