Five Players Leave


By Matthew Grant
May 12 2005

Steve Coppell has begun plans ahead of next season with the release of five players and offering another four new contracts at the club.

FIVE PLAYERS LEAVE

Steve Coppell has started the clearout operation as he shapes his squad for next season. Five players have been told they will not be offered new contracts and will leave this summer. Les Ferdinand, Martin Keown, Ricky Newman, Bas Savage and youngster Louie Soares whose contracts run out this summer have been told they will not be renewed. While Australian keeper Adam Federici's future is still undecided as Steve Coppell has yet to decide whether to offer the player a long term contract. 

Coppell has decided against offering veterans Les Ferdinand and Martin Keown new deals, speaking to the official Reading website Coppell stated, "We never made the play-offs so I just feel that now is the time to finish it and they won't be offered new deals."

Ferdinand who was signed in January to give Reading another striking option has failed to make much of an impact scoring just once in the defeat to Coventry City at home. While Martin Keown has found his first team opportunities limited with Ivar Ingimarrson and Ibrahima Sonko being the preferred partnership at the back for most of 2005.

Mr versatile, Ricky Newman will also depart, Newman has been a tremendous player for Reading playing a number of different roles at his time at the club. Although never a regular in the past two seasons, Newman has conducted himself  errifically always ready to be called upon when needed.

Coppell has offered contracts to Nicky Forster, Darren Campbell, Jamie Young and Simieon Howell. These players have been given time to think over the contract offered and to consider their other options. Shaun Goater who has returned to Reading after an unsuccessful loan spell at Coventry City is expected to leave the club this summer although the player still has a year remaining on his contract. League 2 sides Cheltenham Town and Oxford United are believed to be trailing the forward.