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Danny Guthrie Moving On?

Earlier this afternoon Reading FC midfielder Danny Guthrie sent out a tweet with his agent's number that caught the eye. Now a former Reading reporter has added fuel to the fire. Have we seen the last of the midfielder in a Reading shirt?

Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Here's a link to our story on the the initial tweet from Guthrie, which has since been deleted by the midfielder.

The tweet caught the eye of a few Reading fans who wondered whether Guthrie was looking for a new club, or maybe it was something a bit more innocent like perhaps planning some sort of post-football media gig (well he's never been one to hold his tongue has he?)

Now former Get Reading and current Sun reporter Jonny Fordham has fleshed out the story behind the tweet.

As Jonny says, Chalobah coming into the football club created a logjam that we discussed here on the site last week. Steve Clarke now seems to have made his choice.

Guthrie has managed just 50 league starts and scored five times since arriving at the club on a free transfer from Newcastle, during which time his career has been up and down to say the least. From talking up England prospects during his first few weeks at the club, to refusing to travel to Sunderland because his head 'just wasn't right'.

He was eventually brought back from the cold under Brian McDermott as Reading's Premier League status looked increasingly shaky before earning a new lease of life under Nigel Adkins. In fact, Guthrie was even captain on a few occasions under the former Southampton manager and backed up his responsibility with some eye-catching displays which saw TTE readers vote him Player of the Month two months running at the start of the 2013/14 season.

Sadly it was once again a downhill slope from there as a succession of injuries has limited the former Liverpool man to just a handful of substitute appearances this season.

With wages from the Zingarevich era, plenty of competition in the first team squad as well as young players like Aaron Kuhl and Aaron Tshibola knocking at the door, it was always a long-shot to see Guthrie getting a new deal. Getting his wages off the books now would free up valuable room to strengthen in other areas and hopefully someone takes a punt based on past performance.

If this is the end then goodbye Danny and best of luck.