Reading football chief Nicky Hammond is confident of hanging onto Sunderland target Stephen Hunt this month.

The 26-year-old Irishman only signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract last summer but the club are ready to offer him an improved deal to keep him at the Madejski.

"It (Hunt's contract) is part of an on-going discussion. We did his contract in the summer and I said to him 'If you progress like you have done this season, we'll look at your contract again'," Hammond told the Reading Evening Post.

"That discussion was some weeks ago and we're in the middle of it. I'm sure we'll find a satisfactory conclusion for both us and Hunty.

"He is our player and he's done exceptionally well with us. I fully expect all our players to stay.

"No-one will be leaving Madejski Stadium unless it suits Reading that they do so.

"We are in control of the situation and there will be no developments unless we decide it's the right move for our club."