Reading defender Andre Bikey is hoping to come out on top in his first competitive clash with international team-mate Geremi.The Royals travel to Newcastle on Saturday in search of more points to keep them out of relegation trouble as the Premier League campaign draws nearer to a close.

The home side appear to have put their own fears of the drop behind them following two successive wins, the most recent of which was a 4-1 demolition of Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Geremi, Bikey's Cameroon compatriot, scored the second as the Magpies came back from behind but the Reading defender also knows how to find the net, having scored both in last month's 2-1 home win over Birmingham.

Reading will arrive at St James' Park six points ahead of third-from bottom Bolton having won three and drawn one of their last five games and Bikey was relishing taking on his fellow countryman.

He said: "I have never played against him before except in a training game with the national team.

"He is a good player and has only ever played for big teams. Many people in this country respect him and in other countries as well.

"He brings leadership to Newcastle but they have many other dangerous players who can make a difference.

"They play three up front and it is not so easy to cope with that. But it is 11 against 11. We will do something to try to stop them. We are defending well."

Royals manager Steve Coppell was convinced previous results would have little bearing on the outcome.

He said: "It doesn't really make any difference. There are times in the season that in hindsight you would prefer to play sides in this league but I don't expect them to give us any less consideration than any other side.

"We are on a good run as well so we have nothing to be frightened of."

Winger Glen Little is pressing for a recall following almost a year out with an Achilles problem and could be on the bench.

An operation has been deemed a success but the former Burnley man has yet to play more than a couple of reserve games so far, including one earlier this week.

Coppell said: "He came through his hour and a bit in midweek so he will travel with us. Whether he will be used or not I don't know yet but it was nice to see him play.

"It was only against a young Portsmouth side and we don't want to ruin all the good rehabilitation work we have done by giving him a bridge too far."

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