Reading have confirmed they have rejected a £4 million offer from West Ham United for England left back Nicky Shorey.

Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, insisted the 26-year-old was still on course to play against West Ham on Saturday.

"I cannot deny there was a written offer made," Coppell said. "Given the price of players today we thought it was nigh on a derisory offer. We turned it down immediately and we have had no contact since."

Shorey has established himself as a first team regular since moving from Leyton Orient for £25,000 in 2001 and made his England debut against Brazil at Wembley at the end of last season.

He has been linked with Newcastle United, but West Ham remain favourites to sign him after talks on a new Reading contract stalled.

Shorey has recovered from a knee injury picked up on England duty earlier in the month and is set to go straight back into the side at the weekend.

One man who is on his way out of the Madejski Stadium is defender Sam Sodje who has agreed to spend the rest of the season on loan at Charlton Athletic.