Pompey keen on defensive pair

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Reading manager Steve Coppell expects Shorey to secure a transfer back to the Barclays Premier League in the next few days - even though Shorey has been quoted in the Reading Evening Post saying he is undecided on his future.

Reading turned down a £4million bid from West Ham for Shorey last season and now Coppell has said: "To be fair to Nicky, he has made it clear from this time last year that he would prefer to leave and ply his trade elsewhere."

He added: "But we have no need to sell anyone and I'm not going to give anyone away."

Manager Harry Redknapp's assistant Tony Adams was at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday to run the rule over England international Shorey who is wanted at Fratton Park to challenge veteran left-back Hermann Hreidarsson.

In the event, Shorey was not in Reading's line-up for a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa who have also been linked with him - especially since the loss of their Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma through injury.

French centre-back Kaboul also remains firmly in Redknapp's sights. The Tottenham defender recently rejected a move to Sunderland is said to prefer a move to Portsmouth.

Redknapp has already spent £11million to bring England striker Peter Crouch to Fratton Park from Liverpool.

Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis has reportedly snubbed interest from Celtic in favour of remaining in the Premier League, while Ipswich remain interested in striker David Nugent.

Nugent turned down a loan move to Ipswich last March, preferring to fight for his place at Portsmouth, who have denied the Coca-Cola Championship club have made a £3.5million bid.