SOCCER:A third bid for the Reading midfielder yesterday provided renewed evidence of Roy Keane's determination to add Stephen Hunt to his Sunderland midfield, but Reading manager Steve Coppell last night knocked the Corkman back again, insisting the 26-year-old will not be leaving for England's north east. Emmet Malone, Soccer correspondent, reports.
"It doesn't matter. They can come calling every day - there is no positive response from us in that direction," said the Reading boss after Sunderland reportedly raised their offer for the midfielder to around €6.75 million.
The Republic of Ireland international is going nowhere, insists Coppell, and is content to stay at the Madejski Stadium, at least as long, he hinted, as the alternative is a relegation battle on Wearside.
"There are some clubs that, whether we like it or not, when they come calling then it is hard to turn it down, for the club and the player. But he (Hunt) has a really strong connection with this club. He was a free transfer from Brentford when we signed him and although there is not a debt by any means he has a good feeling about this place."
Coppell suggests he has been impressed by the way the player has handled the attention that has accompanied Sunderland's interest but admits to feeling some concern that the issue is still dragging on despite he and other Reading club officials having made clear their determination to rebuff any approaches.
"He is the same old Hunty. He comes in every day and gives us his all - he is one of those lovely characters that way.
"But he can't help be affected when he leaves here. Who knows who is phoning him up? I hope he can retain his focus when he is here and when he is playing for us."
Sunderland's David Connolly, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace with the London club looking to strengthen their squad and build on their improvement since the arrival of Neil Warnock as manager.
The 30-year-old striker has featured in just five matches for Sunderland since helping them to promotion last year and Warnock had him watched in this week's 3-1 reserve team win over Newcastle United, a game in which Anthony Stokes scored twice.
The Republic of Ireland international scored 13 times last season and a move to Selhurst Park would unite him with Clinton Morrison who has hit an impressive run of form under Warnock.
Nottingham Forest defender Brendan Moloney has joined Chesterfield on a month's loan. The Irish youth international has played twice for Forest this season and is expected to go straight into the team for Chesterfield's game against Brentford tomorrow.
Meanwhile, sources close to Sam Allardyce made it clear yesterday that the former Newcastle United manager has no desire to be considered for the vacant Republic of Ireland job. Don Givens denied suggestions that the manager's agent had been in touch to express his client's interest although he confirmed that a third party had supplied him with the agent's phone number and suggested that Allardyce might be interested.
Allardyce's sacking on Wednesday prompted immediate speculation that he might become a candidate but the 53-year-old intends to seek another club job in England after taking a break with his family.
Don Howe, Givens and Ray Houghton are believed to have talked with Terry Venables this week and there have been suggestions they will talk to Gerard Houllier over the coming days.
Givens said this week, though, the Christmas period had hindered their progress and that with a number of candidates still to be interviewed nothing was "imminent".
