Coppell has Senegal's Ibrahima Sonko, Cameroon's Andre Bikey and Emerse Fae from the Ivory Coast away for the African Nations Cup and he admits recruiting players in the January transfer window is proving difficult.

"We've got the lads away in the Nations Cup, and let's just wish them back early," said Coppell. "Sorry to wish them ill, but in my mind I'd rather they were knocked out in the groups!"

Coppell has transfer targets in mind and is reportedly interested in Lens forward Jimmy Kebe - but he is willing to be patient in the market.

make a move

"We've got a number of targets, and if someone becomes available we'll make a move," said the Reading manager. "But those players are not quite as available as we'd like.

"I've said before, I'd be happy to go the rest of the season with what I've got. These players have risen to the challenge before, I'm sure they can do it again."

Polish goalkeeper Wojtiech Kovalevski is no longer training with the club and is expected to move to Italy.