Drought playing on Doyle's mind

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.

Doyle finished as the Royals’ top scorer last season with 13 goals but has managed only five this term and has not found the net since the 3-1 home win over Liverpool on December 8.

The Republic of Ireland forward told the Reading Evening Post: “It eases things if you are happy with your performances and if I wasn’t playing well I would be more worried about not scoring.

“But yes, I do need a goal. It definitely does play on your mind after about five games without scoring. As a striker you are always judged on the amount of goals you score and I’d like one sooner rather than later.”

Manager Steve Coppell has kept faith with Doyle, leaving him out of only one of the last 16 games – the FA Cup third-round replay against Tottenham.

Coppell has also forgiven fellow Irish forward Shane Long for his shirt-throwing tantrum when substituted against Liverpool two weeks ago.

And Long, after an apology, is ready to challenge for a place in attack against Blackburn on Saturday – despite his nose being broken by the boot of Birmingham’s Liam Ridgewell last week.

Glen Little, who has been out all season with Achilles trouble, made his comeback with 30 minutes for the reserves against Fulham on Tuesday when skipper Graeme Murty (knee) also made his return for the full match.