Sidwell's Contract Clues

Steve Sidwell has made it clear that he could still sign a new contract at Reading.

Contract talks initially broke down as the midfielder wanted somewhere in the region of £25,000 a week - a fee the club were not willing to pay, especially with the uncertainty of the future.

But since late last summer when these talks took place Reading have proved themselves more then capable of staying in the Premier League.

And what`s more Sidders has proved himself crucial to the clubs success story of this season so far all meaning the club may now be willing to cough up the cash.

"Hopefully we`ll sit down this month and talk. The ball`s in the club`s court."

Sidwell is now eligible to hold talks with any foreign party that might be interesting in taking him in the summer, but 24 year-old midfielder has insisted his future is in England.

"We`ll have to wait and see. It`s not just a case of me wanting to stay. I`ve always said I will continue to play well for the club.

"The way we are going at the moment is fantastic. I am certainly not itching to get away because we are going superbly.

"It`s just a case of me sitting tight and weighing up all my options, but at the moment it`s looking good."

Aston Villa, Charlton, Everton Manchester City and Middlesborough are just some of the clubs that have bee linked with the influential player, but Steve Coppell will not cash in on Sidders despite the possibility that he could still lose him in July.

"A lot depends on what impact he has. If one of the big teams came in for him then he might want to go there.

"He has a real desire to play football and that will affect his decision-making. I don`t think he would be comfortable going somewhere where he would be part of rotation. He wants to play."

But Coppell was adamant: "There`s no way we will lose him in January.

"Realistically I would say it will be sorted out in the summer but you can never judge these things."

It is the mutual opinion of Vital Reading that Steve Sidwell is essential to Reading now and in the future and as Tom and club captain, Graeme Murty, put it:

"The club should be pulling up trees to keep him."

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