Sonko seeks Royals talks

Senegal centre-back eager to establish future at Madejski

Last updated: 29th June 2008

Sonko Ibrahima

Sonko: Wants Reading stay

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Ibrahima Sonko is keen to hold talks with Reading manager Steve Coppell in a bid to establish his future.

Sonko and team-mate Emerse Fae were suspended in May following a breach of club discipline, believed to be their refusal to appear in a reserve team game.

Fae has since left the Madejski for a loan spell at Nice, but Coppell has informed Sonko that he holds no grudge.

And Senegal centre-back Sonko insists he is happy to stay with Reading, if he remains in Coppell's plans.

Respect

"At the end of the season I spoke with the manager because maybe I felt it was time to move on," Sonko told the Reading Evening Post.

"He has said he wants me and I am just wondering if the situation has changed.

"I need to sit down with the manager and see what his plans are and clarify the situation and exactly what he wants.

"I wouldn't ask for a move and I respect my contract, but if he decides it is time for me to move on then I would.

Hunger

"But if I am in his plans and he wants me to stay then I will be happy either way.

"I want to know exactly what his plans are for me. If I don't figure then it is best for me to move elsewhere, even if it is another Championship side."

Meanwhile, Coppell is calling for all members of his squad to demonstrate that they deserve a place in Reading's first XI.

"The assurances I have to have is that first and foremost every player that stays here must want to stay here," added Coppell.

"They have got to be hungry to get back and prove they can regain their previous status."

Coca Cola Ch'ship 2008/09 Win Outright: Reading 9/1