Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt has explained why he rejected a move to Sunderland last month.

The Black Cats made three bids for the winger last month, but all were rejected by the Royals and Hunt refused to ask for a move even though he was "flattered" by the interest shown in him.

He said: "I'm very flattered that Roy Keane has been interested in me and Sunderland are a big club. They get crowds of 47,000 week in, week out, but at the same time I'm committed to Reading.

"Whenever a player has been linked with another club he must be doing something right so I suppose the fact Reading turned down bids for me is a compliment to how well I've been playing. But Reading have been very good to me the last couple of years and I just want to keep going until the end of the season and make sure the club climbs back up the table. We need to start picking up points or we are going to be relegated."