Reading begin talks with England duo
Lita (left) and Shorey have both impressed wearing the Three Lions
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Wednesday, 27, Jun 2007 09:01
Reading have opened negotiations with two of its highly rated young stars in a bid to secure their futures at the club.
Leroy Lita, who starred for the England under-21s at this month's European Championships in the Netherlands, and Nickey Shorey, who made his full debut against Brazil in a friendly on June 1st, are both in talks with the Berkshire club over new contracts.
Lita, 22, scored three times at Euro 2007 and finished behind only tournament winner Maceo Rigters of Holland in the scoring charts. He also enjoyed a rich vein of form midway through the Premiership season – scoring eight goals on his top-flight debut.
And Shorey, 26, had an equally impressive season in the Premiership as Reading's main free-kick taker and a stalwart at left-back in a surprisingly stingy Royals defence.
Reading director of football Nick Hammond said: "I've held initial discussion with both players' representatives.
"They were very positive meetings.
"We're keen to take things forward, and the discussions will continue in the not-too-distant future."
Both players have been linked with big-money moves away from the club this summer. The announcement of contract negotiations is clearly a thinly-veiled attempt to ward off any potential suitors as the Royals look to build on last year's successful season.