Coppell vows to bolster FA Cup line-up for next round

READING manager Steve Coppell has admitted he is unlikely to use so many fringe players in the next round after his much-changed side was almost taken to an FA Cup replay by Burnley on Tuesday night.

In the end, the Royals squeezed home 3-2 in their re-arranged third-round tie at home to the Clarets, who came back from 3-0 down before running out of time.

Coppell picked just two players who are assured of starts at Everton on Sunday as he opted to give youngsters and little-used reserves a run out.

Reading will travel to either Birmingham or Newcastle in the fourth round and Coppell admitted he was unlikely make so many wholesale changes for that game.

He said: “In the next round it’s a Saturday game so it is not as if we are squeezing in an extra fixture that we can’t cope with. I haven’t thought about it too much but I will probably have a little more strength in there.”

Coppell handed a debut to goalkeeper Adam Federici and the Australian pulled off a number of impressive saves.

Teenage defender Scott Golbourne did not look out of place either as he started for the first time and also claimed an assist when he set up centre-back Sam Sodje for the third goal in the 55th minute.

But all three, plus right-back Ulises de la Cruz, could find themselves back on the sidelines once it is time to travel to St Andrews or St James’ Park later in the month.

Coppell said: “It was very pleasing to get the victory but if we analyse some of the defending then we will spend a bit of time in the classroom.”

The former England winger was more pleased with his forwards contributions however as Leroy Lita and Shane Long both found the net.

Lita, who has been partnering Kevin Doyle in recent Premiership matches, netted his fourth goal in as many games in the 28th minute with a smart finish from the edge of the box.

Long, who has hardly started in the past two seasons, gave a breathtaking glimpse of his potential with a stunning second before the break, locating the net from a seemingly impossible angle after he had taken the ball past goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

Meanwhile teenage Reading winger Jonathan Hayes has joined MK Dons on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international will work with former Royals assistant boss Martin Allen at the Coca-Cola League Two club.