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Brian McDermott has warned Leicester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson that Reading have no intention of selling Jimmy Kebe

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Hands off Jimmy Kebe

By Jonny Fordham
April 01, 2011

Brian McDermott has warned Leicester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson that Reading have no intention of selling Jimmy Kebe.

Leicester expressed an interest in Royals’ star winger and have been considering making a £2million bid in the summer.

But McDermott laughed off suggestions that Kebe will be leaving for Reading’s Championship rivals.

Kebe, who has six goals and six assists in 36 games so far this season, has been transformed into one of the league’s most deadly attacking threats.

And McDermott will be anxious to tie him down to a new deal long before his contract expires at the end of next season.

Royals’ boss said: “Jimmy Kebe is an important player for us and Jimmy Kebe should play for Brian McDermott. “There is absolutely no doubt about that in my opinion. I have a really good relationship with Jimmy and in my view we work well together.

“He’s exciting to watch and can do what a lot of people can’t. The other side to his game has also improved as he can get back and do his defensive job – he’s a real team player.”

McDermott, who was handed a pay rise by chairman Sir John Madejski this week for his astounding work over the past 14 months, now has nine games to get Reading into the play-offs.

That run starts against Portsmouth at Madejski Stadium tomorrow (3pm kick-off), the first of eight games in the space of 29 days this month.

“The most important thing now is Portsmouth and we want to make the most of these last nine games,” said the 49-year-old boss. “There’s no point looking at the summer and people coming in for our players. We’re going to get that anyway.”

Royals’ last home game was an emphatic 5-2 win over Middlesbrough on March 2.

The visit of Pompey will see former Royals striker Dave Kitson return to Madejski Stadium for the first time since he rejoined the club on loan from Stoke City almost two years ago.

And McDermott added: “I speak to Kits quite regularly as he lives quite close to me so I know him well.

“He was a fantastic player for us and was a bargain signing at the time, who did really well for our club.

“Portsmouth have got Ibrahima Sonko too and the pair are Reading legends really having played in that side that won the league.”

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Get real Guys. The words "Brian McDermott has warned Leicester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson that Reading have no intention of selling Jimmy Kebe" is RFC speak for "Brian McDermott has told Leicester Kebe is for sale, but for more than £2 million". Mark my words, as soon as the Season Ticket sales Window closes Long and Kebe will go.

ElmParker, South Bedfordshire
02/04/2011 at 06:50

I beleive you were suggesting Robson-Kanu should be first on the team sheet....

Jeffers twin, reading
01/04/2011 at 16:06

Matt1871 not having a season ticket = Reading FC and supporters gain

Reading1987
01/04/2011 at 15:59

Jeffers twin or should that be Jeffers (wind up) twin. I backed Long all the way and consistently said he should be first name on team sheet even when he wasn't scoring.

Gallowayscot, Reading
01/04/2011 at 15:34

If it happened for 2m, McAnuff to the right, get Dale Jennings from Tranmere in on the left. Yes please.

Still, rather have Kebe (over McAnuff, even).

Oxford Rd.
01/04/2011 at 15:21

It would cost more than 2 million to replace a winger as good as Kebs. There have been utterances many times in the past about Kebs wanting away. I'm not too sure if Kebs could attain a higher standard of playing or to increase his consistency. But, thats not to say he is a bad winger in any shape or form. His head may well be turned by an offer like this, you just never know.

Fancirca1963, Calcot, Reading
01/04/2011 at 15:19

No your wrong with that one. I have always championed Long. A good player now & will only get better in the future. But if you really think that Kebe is a good winger & will get better you are deluded. I don't want to bring up past players but he wouidn't lace the boots of J.Williams, Smillie, Gilksey.....

Matt1871, Reading
01/04/2011 at 15:02

Just renewed my ticket for next year aswell!

£2m could cover Long's salary for the next few years, cash in on Kebe.

Galloway Scot - i seem to remember you also wanting us to get rid of Long not so long ago??

Jeffers twin, reading
01/04/2011 at 15:00

Kebe can be an enigma but this season has been his most consistent and in many games he has been unplayable. We need to extend his contract now and help him develop further. Ignore the comments from below - they are the ones who were moaning about Long at the beginning of the season!

LoughboroughRoyal, Loughborough
01/04/2011 at 14:48

I'm not a season ticket holder anymore because of the likes of Jimmy Kebe & the muppetts that now support Reading!!!!....That's the truth no April fool.....

Matt1871, Reading
01/04/2011 at 14:41

Let's be clear that Jeffers twin is a 2 game a season man, if that. he wouldn't know a season ticket if his life depended on it

Gallowayscot, Reading
01/04/2011 at 14:35

He's become a very useful player over the last year or so, but he was at his best last season when he was taking players on on the outside every time and putting over crossing or cutting in from the goal line. Too often this season he's chosen to come inside his man and been crowded out. His main assets is his pace, and that's best utilised in the space offered on the wings.