Church agrees new Royals deal

Church: Happy to stay

Reading striker Simon Church has ended doubts about his future by agreeing a new contract to stay at the Madejski Stadium until 2013.

Church has broken in to the Reading first team this season, but his previous deal was due to expire at the end of the campaign.

However, the Wales international has accepted a new three-and-a-half year contract and believes he has made the right choice in deciding to stay with the Royals.

"From a personal point of view I am sure this is the right move, even though I have heard about interest from Premier Division clubs," Church told the Reading Chronicle.

"I have been at Reading since I was 14 and owe my development so far to the staff here at the club.

"I know that I still have a lot to learn and I am confident that by staying at Reading I will continue to progress and become a better player."

McDermott support

Church, who took his goals tally for the season to five by scoring in the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Liverpool on Saturday, has also backed caretaker manager Brian McDermott's claims for the job on a permanent basis.

The 21-year-old added: "All of the players are behind Brian and we hope he will be confirmed as the new manager.

"He has our total support and I hope the performance against Liverpool shows that we are all fighting for him.

"We are convinced that he is the man who will revive our fortunes and in time will eventually make us promotion challengers again."