Murty: Sidwell would complete set

Reading captain Graeme Murty has urged chairman John Madejski to agree a contract with Steve Sidwell to ensure the Barclays Premiership's surprise package keeps its first-choice line-up intact for another season.

Murty has just put pen to paper on a new two-and-a-half-year deal that will tie him to the club until summer 2009. The Royals have also extended the contracts of Ivar Ingimarsson, Marcus Hahnemann, Glen Little and Brynjar Gunnarsson within the last month, leaving Sidwell as the only automatic pick whose deal expires at the end of the season.

Murty hopes Sidwell follows the example of his team-mates, saying: "It would complete the set and be a statement of intent from the chairman and the manager. They are trying to pull up trees to get him to stay but it's a personal decision for Steve."

He added: "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."

Sidwell, 23, held talks with Manchester City in the close season and has also been linked with Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Reading are currently ahead of some of those summer suitors but Murty insists there would be no hard feelings should Sidwell opt to move on.

He said: "We may finish above certain large teams and then where do you go?

"How do you marry that with your career prospects? But none of the lads would begrudge him any move if he got one because he has been fantastic for us.

"We would be the first to to shake his hand and wish him all the best - and kick him when he came back. But if we can influence him to stay by our performances and where we finish in the league then it's all to do."