The Gosford-born youngster was part of the Mariners Pre-Season Cup squad ahead of season two before he was snapped by Reading in January 2007.

The 19-year-old left-sided player had reportedly been on Lawrie McKinna's radar but a Mariners spokesman poured cold water over the speculation today.

He told au.fourfourtwo.com: "I can 100 per cent confirm Bozanic won't be here this season."

McKinna is still looking for an attacking midfielder to boost his squad before the start of the A-League campaign following the departures of both Tom Pondeljak and Adam Kwasnik.

Reading are also keen to welcome Bozanic back with their club's director of football Nicky Hammond telling the Royals' official website that such speculation was 'wide of the mark'.

Meanwhile, Bozanic's fellow Australian at Reading, goalkeeper Adam Federici, is now heading to join up with the Royals having kept a clean sheet in a 9-0 thrashing of non-league Didcot Town.