Jamie Caskey?

Last updated : 09 January 2003 By Rob Cooper
Jamie Cureton (centre) celebrates his promotion clinching goal with team mates Martin Butler and Andy Hughes
Jamie Cureton (centre) celebrates his promotion clinching goal with team Chairman John Madejski
Royals boss Pardew is eager for Cureton to sign a new deal to stay at the Madejski Stadium and has urged him not to 'do a Caskey' and seek better money elsewhere.

Speculation in recent days has suggested that Curo will leave the club on a bosman free transfer at the end of the campaign in search of a club that can offer him a fatter pay packet.

Two years ago overweight but influential midfielder Darren Caskey found himself in a similar position and chose to move to Notts County. Since moving to the club the former Reading crowd favourite has seen his career go downhill faster than that of a former Big Brother contestant.

Alan Pardew hopes that Jamie Cureton doesn't make the same mistake

"There's a deal for Jamie here and he knows that," said Pardew, speaking to icberkshire.co.uk.

"What we can do is to persuade Jamie that his future is with Reading and that the deal we're offering is a fair one in the current climate. Whether it's the contract he wants is another matter."

On the Caskey scenario of two summers ago Pardew added: "We had a very similar situation with Darren Caskey and we ended up losing him. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked out for Darren at Notts County and I suppose the grass is always greener for a lot of players.

"We don't want is to see the same thing happening again and for Jamie to leave us under similar circumstances."

The 27-year-old has a whole host of sides understood to be after him with Charlton Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Norwich City all reported suitors.