Published: Thursday, 11th June, 2009 2:00pm

Royals fear Bryn exit

by Anthony Smith

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NICK Hammond fears Brynjar Gunnarsson could leave if he is offered a longer contract elsewhere.

The 33-year-old versatile midfielder looked set to pen a new 12-month deal later this week when he returns from Iceland"s World Cup qualifiers.

But Royals" director of football Hammond believes Gunnarsson (pictured left) may go if he is offered better terms by a rival club.

It is believed a number of Championship and League One clubs are now showing interest in the ex-Watford, Stoke City and Nottingham Forest player.

'There is a contract for Bryn on the table,' explained Hammond. 'He hasn"t signed it yet and I am expecting to hear back from his agent before the end of the week.

'But if somebody else came in and offered him two or three years with them and the opportunity was right then Bryn may move on.'

Reading believe Gunnarsson"s experience could be invaluable next season alongside the new crop of youngsters coming through like Jem Karacan, James Henry, Alex Pearce, Simon Church and Julian Kelly.

But the club are not prepared to break their strict policy of offering only one-year contracts to players in their 30s.

'We"ve told Bryn we would very much like to have him here with us next season,' added Hammond.

'He has a great deal of experience, he"s a model pro and a terrific example to the young players.

'On top of that he is a very good footballer and he is also very versatile and can play in a number of positions.'

Reading will not want to lose Gunnarsson"s experience at a time when they have already released senior players Graeme Murty, Marcus Hahnemann, Michael Duberry and Leroy Lita.

However, it appears the battle to keep hold of Stephen Hunt may have already been lost after the 27-year-old Republic of Ireland winger this week admitted he needed a 'fresh start."

Everton are rumoured to be lining up a £10 million double swoop for Hunt plus striker Kevin Doyle, who is also a target for Aston Villa.

And Hunt admitted: 'My own situation is that I am happy at Reading. But in terms of my future, I"ve been loyal to Reading, maybe a fresh start would be good for me and the club.

'I think me and the club agree it is time for a fresh start. I don"t know about that (Everton). I can"t talk about other clubs.'

Everton have been linked with Hunt for more than a year and Wigan also tried to sign him in January.

When Royals denied a bid had been made Hunt accused them of telling 'lies,' adding that 'some people need to go to church on Sunday for confession.'

He went on to sign a new three-year contract but is desperate to return to the Premier League.

His contract contains a get-out clause allowing him to speak to clubs who will meet Reading"s £5 million valuation.

There are certain to be offers for Hunt and Doyle this summer and Hammond stated: 'A lot of Premier League managers are on holiday but I"m sure there will be plenty of stuff coming at us in the next two or three weeks.

'We will look at whatever comes in and consider the best action to take.'

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