Reading Football Club News

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

• Ground:Madejski Stadium
• Capacity:24,200

Sidwell urged to sign on

01 Dec 2006 - 17:20:08

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Reading captain Graeme Murty has urged team-mate Steven Sidwell to follow his lead and sign a new contract to stay at the Madejski Stadium.

Murty has already put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal with the Royals and joins Ivar Ingimarsson, Marcus Hahnemann, Glen Little and Brynjar Gunnarsson in pledging his future to the Berkshire club.

Now Murty has called on former Arsenal trainee Sidwell to follow suit and agree a new deal with the Premiership's surprise package.

Sidwell is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with moves to Manchester City and Wigan Athletic.

"It would complete the set and be a statement of intent from the chairman and the manager," said Murty.

"They are trying to pull up trees to get him to stay but it's a personal decision for Steve.

"If you look at his performances, it is apparent that when he steps on the pitch he is willing to run through walls for us.

"He was exceptional against Tottenham and Charlton and showed he is maturing into a fantastic Premiership midfield player. Teams are looking at him, and rightly so."