Roberts will miss opener

Jason Roberts: Will have to sit out the opening two games of Reading's Premier League return

Reading will not appeal Jason Roberts' sending-off against Crystal Palace - so the forward is set to miss their Premier League bow.

Roberts was dismissed by referee Andy D'Urso for violent conduct during the first half of Saturday's game after appearing to catch Palace defender Jonathan Parr with a stray elbow.

The 34-year-old will now miss the Championship title winners' final game of the season at Birmingham as well as the first two fixtures of their 2012-13 Premier League campaign.

A statement on Reading's official website read: "With contact being made in the original incident, the club did not think there was a good chance of a successful appeal, and with the possibility of a further one-game ban if the appeal was deemed frivolous, the club did not want to take an unnecessary risk.

"Brian McDermott (Reading manager) maintained at the time that the contact was an accident, but similarly he retains great faith in his squad and whoever comes into the team this weekend will no doubt perform in the same manner as our entire squad of champions has done all season long."

Veteran's hope

Another veteran Reading player hoping to be involved next season is 36-year-old midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson.

The Icelander appears unlikely to earn a new deal, having made only one start for the club this season, sparking speculation of a return to his homeland.

But Gunnarsson insists he would still relish the opportunity to extend his stay with the Royals into an eighth season.

He told the Reading Post: "It would be fantastic to stay here. If that becomes a possibility then I would definitely consider that. If not, then I'll take a few weeks out and see where things go.

"You always want to play, whether it's in the Premier League or not. As this season progressed I enjoyed it in a different way. I wasn't playing much but was still involved indirectly and I enjoyed it.

"I finished my UEFA B on Thursday and passed that with no problems. It's something I'm still looking into, but at the same time I want to play for as long as I can.

"Being a player-coach, I don't think that would suit me. It's either or. There is uncertainty, but I'll take things as they come."