READING’S Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle yesterday paid tribute to departing Royals manager Steve Coppell.

Steve Coppell has resigned as manager of Reading in the wake of the club’s 2-0 defeat at home to Burnley in the second leg of the Championship play-offs last night.

BURNLEY hit two sensational second-half strikes to book a place in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final as Reading’s dismal home form again cost them a crack at promotion.

Reading 0 Burnley 2 (0-3 on aggregate)

Reading 1 Birmingham 2

READING manager Steve Coppell has thrown down the gauntlet to Shane Long ahead of tomorrow’s decisive Championship clash with Birmingham telling the Republic of Ireland striker: “It’s your time to deliver.”

READING’S Noel Hunt missed out on last night’s game against Norwich and, worryingly for Giovanni Trapattoni, could even be out for the remainder of the season.

Reading 0 Sheffield United 1

Mick McCarthy believes Wolves’ Coca-Cola Championship promotion push is back on track after his side picked up their second away win of the week yesterday.

MICK MCCARTHY lashed out at his Wolves side as Plymouth claimed a 1-0 win at Molineux on Saturday to extend the Championship leaders’ miserable run.

THERE was confusion about the future of Irish winger Stephen Hunt last night with some reports claiming the Reading had accepted a bid from Wigan for the player, a claim denied by Royals boss Steve Coppell.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S latest squad has been dominated more by those who were left out than those who were included, and Shane Long knows he is somewhat fortunate to have made the latter group.

LIFE cannot get much sweeter for Kevin Doyle. The Wexford-born striker has just enjoyed the kind of week he must have wished would never end: a lucrative new contract, tying him to the Royals until 2011, two goals here which brought him his half-century for the Berkshire club three years after joining and the chance to enhance his international credentials in next week’s clash with Poland.

Stoke 2 Reading 2 (AET, Stoke win 4-3 on penalties)

THE Football League have confirmed there is no prospect of the Coca-Cola Championship clash between Watford and Reading being replayed.

KEVIN KILBANE, still on course to play against Georgia on Saturday less than a week after having surgery on a fractured cheekbone, had to skip Irish squad training yesterday morning in order to have a protective mask fitted.

FOR most of the summer, the expectation was that he would be back in the Premier League by now, leading the line at Villa Park maybe, or playing a role in the Roy Keane revolution on Wearside.

Reading boss Steve Coppell has refuted speculation Kevin Doyle could leave the club before the transfer window closes next week.

Portsmouth hope to sign Reading’s Nicky Shorey and Tottenham’s Younes Kaboul before Sunday’s FA Community Shield match against Manchester United at Wembley.

Reading manager Steve Coppell has confirmed defender Nicky Shorey is expected to make a return to the Premier League within days.

Manager Steve Coppell has revealed that Reading players have been the subject of bids from Barclays Premier League clubs – but the Royals boss insists the club are under no pressure to sell following their relegation from the top flight.

Steve Coppell has committed his future to Reading for next season in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Fan power could keep Steve Coppell at relegated Reading after he dropped the strongest hint yet he will stay on as manager and try to lead the club back into the Premier League next season.

STEVE COPPELL confirmed he is considering his future after Reading’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed last night, with the manager’s resignation expected to be confirmed early this week.

STEVE COPPELL has tasted the pain of relegation on goal difference before, while in charge of Crystal Palace in the Premier League’s first season.

Derby 0 Reading 4

FURIOUS Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has accused Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez of lying when he said “prolonged discussions” had taken place between the pair over the possible move of skipper Gareth Barry to the Reds.

STEVE COPPELL is not the only manager sporting a furrowed brow at Reading’s plunge towards the Championship.

Reading 0 Tottenham 1

STEVE COPPELL is confident that Kevin Doyle will be able to compete in Reading’s final two games of the season despite the tragic loss of four members of his family at the weekend.

Two young children died in a fire, apparently started by their father after he murdered their mother, it emerged tonight.

The death of a family of four in a house which was gutted by fire was tonight being treated as suspicious.

Reading boss Steve Coppell has confirmed the club have recalled striker Leroy Lita from his loan spell with Charlton.

THEY were selling ice creams at the Emirates stadium. There were few takers on a day cold enough to make your teeth ache but Arsenal could be forgiven for wanting to fast-forward to the balmy days of summer.

Reading manager Steve Coppell has challenged his players to defy the odds by securing one of the most unexpected victories of the season.

Reading 0 Blackburn 0

Reading’s misfiring striker Kevin Doyle has pledged to end his 15-match goal drought “sooner rather than later” – but insists he is happy with his form.

Reading have no new injury worries ahead of tomorrow’s visit of fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Birmingham.

Reading boss Steve Coppell was left fuming after his side’s narrow 2-1 defeat at Anfield.

READING manager Steve Coppell believes his side is capable of emulating Barnsley at Liverpool today.

SAINT Stephen’s Day 1962.

Middlesbrough 0 Reading 1