Reading boss Mark Bowen has given the latest information on Tyler Blackett's current contract situation.

The Royals defender is out of contract in the summer although has been one of the key performers for Reading over last month or so.

Blackett started the season outside of the starting XI having picked up an injury in the last pre-season fixture before the new campaign. Now, he's the first choice left-back for the Royals and seemingly improving.

Bowen has expressed that they've spoken about his contract, but they've agreed to leave it to the hierarchy and his agent to sort out before the end of this current window.

Speaking to Berkshire Live, Bowen said: "He came to me and asked me about it - he’s very mature and says he just wants to concentrate on his football.

"I replied to him and said I’m just concentrating on preparing the team so that side of things we’ll leave to the hierarchy and his agent."

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The Verdict

Blackett has been surprisingly impressive over the last month or so and that has meant that there is a debate amongst Royals supporters about whether the defender should be offered a new contract.

Obviously, due to various financial discrepancies the Royals are still trying to sort out their wage bill and getting rid of Blackett could help them with that in the future. The left-back's had a decent spell in the side and is now starting to contribute to Reading's forward play.

It really is 50/50 whether he'll pick up a new contract but there's no reason at this current moment why he wouldn't be offered one, apart from if the club is offering him a lower wage than he could get at another club.