Dispirited Sereni demands respect

Sereni, the club's record signing when he joined from Sampdoria for £5 million in the summer, has been dropped in favour of Andy Marshall for the last five games and now he has revealed his discontent at the situation.

"I want a reason why I am not playing," blasted Sereni. 

"I played well for this team for six months, but they have no respect for me as a professional.

"I am very hurt by the club's decision and I do not understand why I am being treated this way"

The 26-year-old regrets asking manager George Burley to rest him for the FA Cup clash with Dagenham and Redbridge earlier this month.

 "All respect to Dagenham, but I was really, really tired before we played them and I asked the manager for a rest," said the Italian. "Maybe I made a mistake."

"In Italy this is normal, if you have a friendly or a game against a smaller team. I had played a lot of games and I felt I needed a break.

"I have spoken with the manager and he said there are no problems, but it is a problem for me that I am still on the bench."

Sereni insists that he is happy with Burley and chairman David Sheepshanks, "They are both gentlemen," he added.

"I always work hard with the goalkeeping coach [Malcolm Webster] but he is always speaking to Marshall, as well as training with him. They speak on the side."