Relegation worries cause Reading to freeze ground plans

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• More Premier League news club by club

The Royals have secured planning permission to increase the stadium capacity to 38,000 but are not prepared to commit themselves to the project while the club is battling against relegation.

Reading are currently third from bottom and one of six teams fighting for survival who are separated by just seven points.

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The Royals chairman John Madejski in front of Reading's Madejski Stadium

Reading chief executive Nigel Howe told the club's official website, www.readingfc.co.uk: "We have always built this club on sensible foundations and that's what we are doing again here.

"From day one, we've said there's no point expanding if we don't maintain our place in the Premier League.

"We will revisit things once we know where we are at the end of this season and make a plan accordingly."

Even if Reading to retain their top-flight status, Howe confirmed work on the stadium expansion would not begin before the summer of 2009.

"We still have every intention of increasing the stadium capacity, but now is not the right time to do it," Howe added.

"We are not in a position to make a final decision now, so there would be insufficient time for us to begin work this summer if we so desired. This is a huge undertaking for the football club, and everyone understands that all aspects must be absolutely correct before we are ready to start work."

Reading have already put contract talks with England left-back Nicky Shorey on hold until the end of the season.