Reading Football Club News

• Nickname:Royals
• Founded:1871
• Manager:Brian McDermott

• Ground:Madejski Stadium
• Capacity:24,200

Coppell happy with dilemma

21 Feb 2008 - 09:45:02

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Reading boss Steve Coppell has admitted he has a welcome selection headache following the return to contention of several members of his first-team squad.

The struggling Royals take on Aston Villa at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday and Coppell has been boosted by the return of a host of players from the Africa Cup of Nations and others from suspension.

Coppell is looking for his free-falling 18th-placed side to snap a six-game losing sequence which threatens their Premier League status.

"After the Cup Of Nations we have a healthy squad, I think 27 people are training at the moment," he told the club's official website.

"That's a reflection of us not having injuries, there's only Glen (Little) and Bryn (Brynjar Gunnarsson) right now. I can't ask more in that respect.

"But the fact that everyone is fit doesn't help me pick the team. The team doesn't jump out at you.

"I don't think there have been many claims from a performance point of view, be it first team or reserves.

"The reserves had a great result last week, but prior to that there haven't been performances on a daily basis which demanded that people be playing.

"It's a hard team to pick. There will be a few disappointed but I hope that translates to determination to get in the side.

"After the number of defeats we've had, I could fully justifiably pick any team."