Fears grow over Fozzy's future at Reading

Last updated : 17 December 2004 By Rob Cooper
Nicky Forster
Forster (pictured) could be set to quit the club early in the new year
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Livewire forward Nicky Forster, who will tomorrow make his long-awaited return from injury, could be set to quit the club for another Championship side.

The 31-year-old forward, who is out of contract at the end of the season, remained tight-lipped over speculation linking him with a move to league leaders Wigan Athletic.

Sources close to the influential forward indicate that he could be set to quit the Madejski Stadium early in the new year if the club continue to stall over offering him a new deal - whether Wigan come forward with an offer or not.

It is believed that the club want Fozzy to prove his fitness before offering him a new deal, but the striker who has done so much for Reading's cause over the past few years may not wait around that long.

The Royals, who traditionally leave contract negotiations to the last minute and have lost key players on free transfers in the past, are unlikely to offer Forster a new deal before February.

The skillful frontman is thought to be seeking to secure his long-term future in the game and may quit the club early in the new year if a long-term deal is on offer elsewhere.

Fozzy refused to deny that there was any truth in the rumours linking him with a move to Wigan.

Speaking to the Reading Chronicle he said: "I'm not sure about the rumour. It didn't originate from me or anyone associated with me. I wasn't part of that so I really can't comment."

The Latics had a £750,000 offer for Forster turned down a year ago but the Royals would be under pressure to accept any new bid from the JJB Stadium side for the frontman with just over six months to run on his current deal.

Despite having his campaign blighted by injury, Forster has found the net four times so far this season.

The 31-year-old will be hoping for a prolonged injury-free run in the team over Christmas to press his claims for a new deal, or to put himself in the shop window if a new contract is not forthcoming.

Captain Adie Williams recently quit Reading to join Coventry when it emerged that he would not be offered a new contract until the new year.