By Piers Edwards BBC Sport, Dakar

Ibrahima Sonko now says he wants to leave Reading

Senegal's Ibrahima Sonko has told BBC Sport he wants to leave Reading despite recently pledging his future to the English Championship side.

"I think I need a new start," Sonko said, after scoring in Senegal's 3-1 win over Liberia on Saturday.

"I heard on Friday that the manager said he would like to keep me but it's time for me to move on.

"That's what I am going to try to do now - go back home and sort my situation out."

Having joined Reading in 2004, the 27-year-old's current contract does not expire until the end of the 2009/2010 season.

Yet his future has been in doubt since missing a reserve game in April, although he maintains this was a misunderstanding over his desire to preserve his fitness after returning from injury.

The centre-back, who has played over 100 games for the Royals, has recently been linked with the trio of newly-promoted Premier League sides: Hull City, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

"I've done my time with Reading, having been there for four years - the longest I've ever stayed with a club," the former Brentford player explained. "I've given them everything.

I love Reading but I need to think about myself now. "I'd like to join a Premiership club but there's nothing certain yet.

I've got to wait but with the two games I've just played, I hope people saw me and will make a move."

Despite playing in several friendlies for Senegal, Sonko's first competitive match came in Liberia earlier this month after injury ruled out regular starter Abdoulaye Diagne Faye of Newcastle United.