No Huth-Ball Game For Pardew

Pardew's search for a new centre-back will continue after it emerged that the Royals have failed in a bid to bring highly-rated young German centre-back Robert Huth to the club on loan.

Claudio Ranieri does not want to let the 6ft 2 inch 19-year-old leave Stamford Bridge as he believes the up-and-coming prospect will have a big role to play in Chelsea's first team affairs in the future.

Speaking to the Reading Evening Post, Alan Pardew admitted he has been foiled in his bid to bring Huth, dubbed the 'Berlin Wall', to the club.

"I would love to have Robert here, but Chelsea have said no as he is part of their plans. He was the one I was after, but as far as I'm concerned that's it now and I will move on to the next one," he said.

Pardew: Frustrated

Pardew, who has been trailing Huth for some time, yesterday had a loan bid rejected. As the Royals boss looks to bring in a new centre-back it is possible that a renewed approach for Brighton captain Danny Cullip could be made although a couple of Swedish centre-backs have also been dubbed as possible transfer targets.

However, it is now widely believed that Pards will not bring in another defender until the January transfer window.

Huth made five appearances for the Chelsea first team last season, and could soon unearth top pros Marcel Desailly, William Gallas and John Terry to win a place in the first time, despite the fact that he turned a tender nineteen years of age yesterday.