Reading move to tie up England pair

Reading's director of football is optimistic Nicky Shorey and Leroy Lita will sign new contracts at the Madejski Stadium soon.

The Royals are eager to agree fresh terms with £6 million-rated left back Shorey, who has two years left to run on his current deal, to fend off advances from West Ham and Newcastle.

The 26-year-old was one of the club's most consistent players last season and his stellar performances were rewarded with his first cap in England's 1-1 draw with Brazil.

Lita's stock has risen following his recent three-goal haul on England Under-21 duty during the European Championships, with Sunderland, Bolton and Portsmouth considering a £5 million swoop.

Reading, who lost midfielder Steve Sidwell to Chelsea on a free transfer at the start of the summer, are desperate to keep hold of both players.

"I've held initial discussions with both players' representatives," Nicky Hammond told the club's official website, www.readingfc.co.uk. "They were very positive meetings. We're keen to take things forward and the discussions will continue in the not too distant future."

Reading's only signing of the transfer window so far has been Kalifa Cisse from Boavista and Hammond admitted attracting new players to the Madejski Stadium is proving problematic once again.

The Royals were an unknown quantity last season and their drawing power suffered as a result — a situation that has recurred this year despite their magnificent eighth place in the Barclays Premiership.

"The Premiership is full of clubs looking to improve their squads and there are still far more established teams around than us," Hammond told the Reading Evening Post.

"It's not getting any easier to bring players in, but we've got some thoughts and are trying to move things forward.

"We have missed out on a couple of players that we would have liked this summer.

"They possibly didn't see Reading as the best possible option they had and we've just got to accept those decisions.

"If we look at what is most important to us, trying to keep our best players is of course top of that list."