Departing defender Dan Harding says his lack of opportunities with Town over the last year were down to manager Jim Magilton's feelings towards him rather than football. Last week, Harding joined Reading on loan for the rest of the season.

The former England U21 international was singled out for criticism after last season's defeat at Charlton and rarely gradually faded out of the Town first team picture, before being loaned to Southend for the first half of this season.

The ex-Leeds man, who is out of contract at the end of the season, rejoined the Blues in January and briefly returned to the Town side at Palace with injuries and illness having hit the backline.

Harding says he had no hesitation in making the move to the Royals with his chances with the Blues almost certainly limited: "I found out Reading were interested. I knew they had seen me play a few games so I was delighted when they came in for me.

"I played in our 4-1 win at Crystal Palace but I was left out completely when we played Chelsea in the FA Cup. I went from playing in a team that won 4-1 to not even being in the squad.

"It obviously showed he [Jim Magilton] had a personal problem with me. It was nothing to do with football. Then he told me Reading had come in and that I could go. That was it as far as I was concerned.

"Obviously, I was disappointed when it became clear I wasn't part of the manager's plans so it was brilliant when a new challenge came about.”

Harding previously played under Reading boss Steve Coppell when he was a Brighton player.

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