Kinnear Prepares Bid for Mautone

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WIMBLEDON manager Joe Kinnear is planning to make a bid for Reading's Australia goalkeeper Steve Mautone.

Kinnear, who has had the 27-year-old former West Ham player watched in every Reading home game this season, will have to offer more than [pounds sterling]1million to sign him.

Reading have already fought off interest from Coventry who were prepared to offer [pounds sterling]1.3m for the Elm Park favourite.

Kinnear wants Mautone to increase the competition for places - at the moment Neil Sullivan is Wimbledon's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

Reading manager Terry Bullivant is desperate to keep Mautone as the team is hit by an injury crisis …