Reading have received an improved Sunderland bid for Stephen Hunt but manager Steve Coppell is confident the offer will be rejected.  He then hopes Sunderland boss Roy Keane gives up his relentless pursuit of the Republic of Ireland international.

Keane has already failed with approaches of £2.5million and £3million this week but tonight stepped up that offer to £4.5million. The Sunderland boss is desperate to sign the in-form 26-year-old winger who is enjoying another fine season in the top flight.

But Coppell is confident Hunt will reject Keane's advances by signing an improved Reading offer, one that would put him alongside compatriot Kevin Doyle as the club's highest earner.

"It doesn't matter," Coppell said, "they can come calling every day. There is no positive response from us in that direction.  The reality was that they made a bid but we would like our core players to be happy staying here," he added.

"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 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."

While Hunt is content to stay he can't help but be tempted by the switch, particularly as he was a Manchester United fan growing up and would relish working alongside his hero Keane.

But if he is unsure of his options he certainly doesn't play like someone with the weight of the world on his shoulders.  He has hit the ground running again this season and is to the fore in Coppell's plans.

"He is the same old Hunty," said Coppell, who has been linked in the past with the vacant Republic of Ireland job. "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 (each day). 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."

Reading chairman John Madejski stressed that Hunt's existing contract does not expire until 2010 and that it would be "madness to let him go, absolute madness."

Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, have rejected another bid for 23-year-old Irish midfielder Glenn Whelan with Burnley the latest to make a move.

Manager Brian Laws said: "I can confirm that we have received a bid from Burnley for Glenn Whelan, but it is certainly not an offer that interests us at This time and we have turned it down accordingly."