Coppell 'will play reserves' in Uefa Cup

Steve Coppell insists he will select his reserves for Uefa Cup duty if Reading qualify for Europe next season. Reading surged back into the reckoning for a place in Europe with Monday's 1-0 victory over Newcastle United, a result which lifted them to seventh in the Premiership.

Coppell views all competitions outside of the League as unwanted distractions, as his overwhelming priority is to keep the club in the top flight. And the Reading manager insists that, should his side be confronted with a campaign in Europe, he will give it the same treatment as all cup competitions by giving his second-string a run.

"I've said all along my reasons for not thinking this would be a good time for Europe but if it happens, it happens," he said. "The chairman has told me he's got £200m to supplement the squad, it's just a question of me going out and writing the cheques!

"It wouldn't be a problem getting into the Uefa Cup because I'd probably play the reserves. As far as I'm concerned we have a European Cup final every weekend in the Premiership. That's how much it means to everyone at this club.

"We've prioritised it massively this season, I make no bones about that, and we would prioritise it again."

Nicky Shorey took the man of the match award against Newcastle and produced his star turn in front of the England assistant coach Terry Venables, who was watching from the stands.

The 26-year-old left-back has yet to win his first cap, but Coppell believes it is only a matter of time before he does receive international recognition. "All Nicky can do is put in performances and he's being doing that consistently," he said. "People shouldn't do the talking for him, his football should do the talking. He's doing a good job and is pushing forward his claims.

"I often think that when a manager is putting forward players it doesn't sound right - it sounds like it's appeasing the player. As far as I'm concerned he's a best-kept secret. He's been terrific for us all season and I'm sure he'll soon be in an England squad even if it's only so that they see what he can do. He has a very educated left foot."

A cool second-half finish from Dave Kitson snatched all three points for Reading. It was only the striker's second goal of an injury-hit season. With Kitson fit again after a five-month spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, Coppell believes he now has plenty of options in attack.

"I've got some real competition up front. Lita's back after finishing his suspension. We also think Shane Long has huge potential," he said. "Forward is the one position where we're OK. It gives us insurance against injuries. Realistically, Kitson has been fragile, he's missed chances of football since he's been with us."