Reading Football Club News

• Nickname:Royals
• Founded:1871
• Manager:Brian McDermott

• Ground:Madejski Stadium
• Capacity:24,200

Sidwell staying with Royals

15 Dec 2006 - 08:56:42

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Reading manager Steve Coppell has denied suggestions that the club will look to cash in on contract rebel Steven Sidwell in January.

Sidwell, 24, is in the last year of his contract and could leave on a free transfer in the summer after rejecting a new deal tabled earlier in the season.

The former Arsenal trainee has played an integral role in the Royals' solid start to life in the top-flight, but Coppell insists he doesn't want to sell the highly-rated midfielder in the transfer window.

Fulham and Manchester City are believed to be interested in acquiring Sidwell's services.

"Without doubt, we do not want to sell him. We want to keep him, and I don't think we will sell him in January come what may," claimed Coppell.

"The only way it would change is if he signs a 'pre-contract' in January with a foreign club. That would obviously affect his commitment to us."