Reading manager Steve Coppell admits hardly a moment goes by when he is not thinking about ways of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.The Royals are one of a cluster of clubs who know they must put more points on the board to secure their top-flight status and host another, Birmingham, on Saturday.

And Coppell, whose side took a step back by losing at Liverpool last week following victories over Middlesbrough and Manchester City, revealed he was unable to switch off from the task in hand.

He said: "There are seven or eight teams involved and we are all uncomfortable. It dominates your every thought and that applies to managers, coaches and players.

"You can be watching TV or a film or playing golf and in the back of your mind you will be thinking 'we have eight games to go'. It is hugely significant in a club's history. It is meaningful."

But the former England winger, who suffered relegation with Crystal Palace in the 1990s, insisted it was a challenge from which he refused to shirk.

He said: "I have never been afraid of defeat. I don't like it but I have never been afraid of risking it to try to win games. I have never been frightened of losing my job."

Birmingham will kick off a point behind Reading in 16th place but have lost just one of their last six games, a sequence that included a 2-2 draw with Arsenal despite being a man down for most of the game.

Coppell said: "They are not going to come here to roll over and we have no divine right to win the game. They have a good squad and it will be a tough call for either side.

"Birmingham have some really good individuals within the framework of a strong foundation."

Birmingham's Martin Taylor is available again following the three-match ban he was handed for the challenge that broke Arsenal striker Eduardo's leg in the 2-2 game.

Blues manager Alex McLeish has already indicated the centre-back was unlikely to feature and Coppell was not surprised.

He said: "The team chosen in recent weeks has done well."

Coppell hinted he would make alterations follow the Anfield reverse, with striker Dave Kitson in line to replace Shane Long and Mali duo Kalifa Cisse and Jimmy Kebe pushing for starts.

Coppell said: "Possession is nine-tenths of the law. If you are winning games I won't make changes, if you are losing games then I have every right to. We lost last time out and at this time of the year it is just about getting results."

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