SIDWELL FEE AGREED

Last Updated : 16-Jan-2003 by
Sidwell (left) in action for Brentford during last season's Play-Off Final
Sidwell (left) in action for Brentford during last season's Play-Off Final
Former England under 20 midfielder Steven Sidwell is expected to become a Royals player within 24 hours.

The youngsters representatives are currently deadlocked in negotiations trying to thrash out terms to make him the second person to put pen to paper at the Madejski Stadium this week after Alan Pardew's decision yesterday to sign a new contract.

Sidwell has spent the season the past few months on loan at bottom of the table Brighton and has scored some crucial goals for the Seagulls. Last season he was instrumental in Brentford's run to the Play-Off Final under Steve Coppell.

It had been reported that the 20-year-old, who has been earning rave reviews this season, was at the Madejski Stadium last night to watch Reading's Cup defeat against Walsall.

Just last week Alan Pardew said that he didn't have the funds available to him to make Sidwell a Royals star but now it appears that the deal could well go through shortly.

With the youngster out of contract at the end of the season the 'Undisclosed Fee' agreed is likely to be a small one.