Royals upbeat over Icelandic duo
Anthony Smith • Published 6 May 2010 16:00
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On board: Reading are confident Brynjar Gunnarsson (pictured) and captain Ivar Ingimarsson will sign contract extensions.
ROYALS boss Brian McDermott is confident Ivar Ingimarsson and Brynjar Gunnarsson will sign one year contract extensions with the club.
They are by far the most senior Royals amongst 10 players offered new deals today.
But their Icelandic counterpart Gunnar Thorvaldsson is one of five players who have been released.
Club captain Ingimarsson, 32, and the versatile Gunnarsson, 34, will now weigh up their options over the coming weeks.
Ingimarsson was Steve Coppell's first signing in October 2003 and there are rumours the former Royals boss could try and lure him to Bristol City by offering a longer deal.
But McDermott told the Chronicle: "We're hopeful of sorting both out soon. The fans don't want them to go."
Seven Academy players have been rewarded with their first professional contracts including Wales youth international Jake Taylor, who was on the bench during Reading's 4-1 victory against Preston on Sunday.
Joining him are pocket-rocket Abdulai Bell-Baggie, Michael Hector, Simon Locke, Jack Mills, James Rowe and Jacob Walcott.
Michail Antonio, 20, has also been secured for a further 12 months following a productive loan spell with Alan Pardew's Southampton.
Sadly, Thorvaldsson will be leaving Madejski Stadium after a frustrating loan spell to rejoin Danish side Esbjerg.
Royals had high hopes for the 28-year-old who was expected to join permanently in the summer. But he made only four Championship appearance and failed to score.
Youngsters Oliver Bozanic, Mitchell Bryant and Radoslav Vasilev will not be offered contracts either.
Bozanic recently return from loan at League Two Aldershot who have secured a play-off berth under former Royals coach Kevin Dillon.
Liam Rosenior's contract has now officially expired with Reading after the full-back spent the season on loan at Ipswich Town.
Meanwhile, with no £12 million parachute payment next season, McDermott accepts it is "inevitable" players will have to be sold in the coming week.
Player of the Season Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jimmy Kebe, Shane Long and Adam Federici have all been linked with moves elsewhere.
For more plus all the latest Royals news see today's Chronicle.
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