Royals ready for bids

McDermott: Has impressed at the helm

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Brian McDermott accepts he may have to fend off bids for a number of his stars after Reading concluded their campaign with a 4-1 win over Preston, while his North End counterpart Darren Ferguson accepts he has a big job on his hands in the summer.

McDermott has revitalised the Royals since he took charge and in Gylfi Sigurdsson has unearthed one of the stars of the division.

The Iceland Under 21 midfielder is expected to attract interest from a number of Premier League clubs but McDermott is confident of keeping his in-form squad together.

He said: "We will try and keep as many (as possible) of the players here over the summer but we will see what the summer brings.

"It will be dominated by other clubs.

"If certain clubs come in for our players then we will deal with that but that is not something we will encourage.

"But it was a fantastic way to finish.

"From the 11 games we've had at home since I took charge we won nine, which is not a bad effort, and the goals will stay with us over the summer."

Wingers Jimmy Kebe and Jobi McAnuff soon had the rampant Royals in control before Ross Wallace dragged Preston back into contention with a sensational 35-yard free-kick.

However McDermott saw Sigurdsson rattle in his 20th goal of the season before Simon Church added a fine fourth late on to leave McDermott beaming.

He said: "When I got the job we talked about having a 20-game season and we have collected 40 points from those games.

"We don't want the season to end so if anyone fancies a game, give us a call.

"That is championship form and the players deserve all the credit for that."

North End view

Preston manager Ferguson admitted that he has a huge task on his hands if he is to turn his squad into play-off contenders.

North End had moments of class - not least Wallace's sensational strike - but looked fragile at the back throughout and Ferguson is desperate to rebuild at Deepdale.

He said: "It typifies the season really.

"There were glimpses of decent play but it is a poor result and a poor performance.

"I am glad that the season is over to be honest and now we can rebuild.

"I have already told a few players they are not in my plans and some of the players are not good enough.

"It just depends if I can get them out of the club because from what I have seen over the four months there are some players who won't be wanted anywhere.

"A lot of them are on far too much money and it's difficult to get them out but that is football.

"It will become clear over the next few days who those players are.

"I am just glad that we are still in the Championship. We need centre-halves because the goals we give away are an absolute joke and I am sick of saying it.

"The first two goals we gave them. It was far too easy for Reading.

"Our squad needs big changes but I am not the only manager who will be wanting to do that over the summer."

Despite his pessimistic view of the quality of his squad, Ferguson is confident of success come August.

Alan Irvine - whose Sheffield Wednesday side were relegated this afternoon - was sacked for failing to deliver a play-off campaign and Ferguson will have to achieve a top-six challenge if he is not to go the same way.

He said: "We will have a better season next year. The history of the club dictates that the play-offs must be the aim so we are going for that.

"We won't be throwing money about but we are looking forward to the challenge."