Coppell - Doyle staying put

Reading boss rules out striker sale

Last updated: 30th August 2008

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Doyle: Hat-trick

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Reading boss Steve Coppell fully expects that Kevin Doyle will remain with the club beyond Monday's transfer deadline.

Aston Villa, Sunderland and Everton have all been tracking the talented Irishman.

But after seeing him score a hat-trick in their 4-2 win over Crystal Palace - Coppell is not expecting him to leave in the next 48 hours.

"We've had no contact from anyone for several weeks about him," said Coppell.

"Why on earth would a Premier League club be interested in him now after one performance?

"If he was going to be desirable to anyone then they have had 10 weeks over the summer to get him.

"If anyone buys someone in the last few days of the window then unless it's been set up for a few weeks - which isn't the case with him - then it smacks to me of a panic buy.

"But he has been getting chances in the first few games and goalkeepers have been making saves. I know that scoring has played on his mind but I told him that the goals would come as he was in the right positions.

"Once you get one, they tend to come. It's the very nature of a striker's existence and three came at once today."

Poor Palace

Palace boss Neil Warnock admitted his side contributed to their defeat with some poor defending.

"Kevin Doyle will never get an easier hat-trick than that," he said.

"The marking was a disgrace from three corners and it's a good job that they sold Ibrahima Sonko to Stoke otherwise they could have had 10.

"But if you defend like that you'll get beaten by Bodmin and Saltash - never mind a team like Reading.

"It was the first time I've never been sent off here though so that's a bonus.

"When we went up I was never too concerned. Reading will always create chances but I thought we more than held our own for the majority.

"We played some good football and just lacked that bit of cutting edge.

"But you don't get many chances to win at Reading and we let one go today."