CHRIS Gunter has told Reading FC to get their skates on and offer him a new contract, writes Anthony Smith.

Royals' right-back will see his current deal at Madejski Stadium expire in the summer.

He will then become a free agent and is unlikely to be short of offers from rival clubs.

But the 26-year-old Wales international has stressed he wants to spend his long-term future with the Royals.

“I want to stay and all the people at the club who make those decisions are aware of those feelings,” he said. “My agent has been relaying those messages as well.

“The club are full aware and hopefully something can be done, but as a footballer you are not really in control of that.

“If and when those conversations are had fantastic, but until that point you carry on and make sure you do your best.”

He added: “Lots of conversations have taken place but there is no formal contract to sign.

“Hopefully something can get done and for me the sooner the better.

“Like I say, the club know I want to stay so hopefully we can reach an agreement as soon as possible and they can give me a contract.

“I can't  make the club give me a contract, but if I could I would.”

Gunter joined Royals from Nottingham Forest for around £2.5 million in 2012, signing a three-year deal with the option of a fourth which he took up in summer 2015.

It was Brian McDermott who brought him to Reading during his previous spell as manager and he has reassured Gunter that he wants to reward him with a new contract.

Gunter, who is set to make his 150th appearance for the Royals this Saturday in the home fixture against Wolves (3pm), explained: “I've never been in the final six months of a contract before not knowing what's going to happen.

“It's different, but that seems to be the way football is at the moment.

“It's a tough one, it's not as easy as writing a few figures on a piece of paper. But hopefully over the next few weeks we'll sort it out.

“I can't let it affect me. As a footballer you learn to push stuff to the side and get on with training and playing.”

He added: “If I was to sign a contract I'd like it to be as long as possible because you want to buy ino that club and your future is settled.

“We all have families and houses so the more settled you are the better.

“Things have moved on in the last few weeks where before there was no indication of anything.

“We had the January transfer window and now that has gone hopefully the focus will be on next season because I want to be a part of that.

“The best progress for me would be when there is a contract on the table for me to sign.

“Hopefully that's the case and I'm sure something can be agreed if the club want to keep me.”