Reading manager Steve Coppell has confirmed his priority is to sign a new left-back with Nicky Shorey set to leave the club.Shorey is expected to depart in the next few days and Coppell is hoping to replace the England international in time for the season opener against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

"We will have a problem at left-back, I'll be the first to admit that," he told the club's official website. "Any possible purchases in that department over this summer have not materialised, partly because I'm a little fussy and partly because I was thinking Nicky might stay.

"Now I know he'll go, we have to be busy and get an alternative.

"I'd hope to do something for the weekend, but it's not guaranteed."

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