Doyle - No hidden agenda

Doyle: Happy to stay

Kevin Doyle insists there is no hidden agenda behind his decision to sign a new Reading contract and now hopes Stephen Hunt will follow his lead.

Irish striker Doyle committed his future to the Royals last week by extending his deal at the Madejski Stadium until 2011.

There have been claims that the contract will simply push up his price ahead of a proposed January switch back to the Premier League, with Aston Villa having been linked with a bid.

However, Doyle is adamant he wanted to resolve his future before the transfer window reopened and stressed he has no plans to leave the Championship club.

Emotionally attached

"There is no hidden agenda," said Doyle in The Sun. "It is very unusual to see a player move two months after a new deal.

"I feel emotionally attached to Reading. It's the club that gave me my chance.

"I get on well with everyone, the chairman, manager and staff. They looked after me and I appreciate that.

"It's important that I had a clear mind before January. Transfer talk can be very unsettling, it plays on your mind and is tiring mentally, not just for me but for team-mates and family.

"A couple of times I thought I was leaving, then the next day I wasn't. So it did mess with my head a little bit. I was delighted when the first of September came, then straight away it was a relief."

Doyle is now keen for compatriot Hunt to stay at the club, with Everton and Sunderland linked with the midfielder.

He added: "I wouldn't blame him if he left, he is older than me and has to think about his future. But we don't want one of our best players leaving in January. He is a great asset."