The Royals are one of a cluster of clubs who know they must put more points on the board to secure their top-flight status and host another, Birmingham City, on Saturday.

And Coppell, whose side took a step back by losing at Liverpool last week following victories over Middlesbrough and Manchester City, revealed he was unable to switch off from the task in hand.

He said: "There are seven or eight teams involved and we are all uncomfortable. It dominates your every thought and that applies to managers, coaches and players.

hugely significant

"You can be watching TV or a film or playing golf and in the back of your mind you will be thinking 'we have eight games to go'. It is hugely significant in a club's history. It is meaningful."

But the former England winger, who suffered relegation with Crystal Palace in the 1990s, stressed it was a challenge from which he refused to shirk.

He said: "I have never been afraid of defeat. I don't like it but I have never been afraid of risking it to try to win games. I have never been frightened of losing my job."

Birmingham will kick off a point behind Reading in 16th place but have lost just one of their last six matches, a sequence that included a 2-2 draw with Arsenal despite being a man down for most of the match.

Coppell said: "They are not going to come here to roll over and we have no divine right to win the game. They have a good squad and it will be a tough call for either side.

"Birmingham have some really good individuals within the framework of a strong foundation."