Steve Coppell admits Steve Sidwell is settling into his new role at Chelsea at just the wrong time for the club he left behind last summer.Reading travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night still in search of their first victory outside Berkshire and Coppell was expecting the 25-year-old to be waiting for him in a powerful opposition line-up.

Sidwell has found starts hard to come by under first Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant and when called upon struggled to justify the reputation that had earned him the move in the first place.

But he played a full role in last week's cup wins at Everton and Wigan and with a number of higher-profile players still away on African Nations Cup duty the chance was there to add to that good work.

Coppell said: "His time at Chelsea has been more or less what he predicted. He knew it would be a struggle to get into the team but during the African Nations Cup he would have more of a chance and that's the way it has transpired.

"I went to watch the game at Wigan and thought he was terrific. He is feeling more comfortable on the stage and will show more and more what he is capable of."

Coppell was also convinced the midfielder remained highly-regarded by the Reading fans despite his decision to reject new contract offer after new contract offer last season.

He said: "It was a move he couldn't turn down. You can look back in years to come and say 'I should have done this, that and the other' but if any of the elite four come in for one of your players then you are in trouble because it is irresistible for a player.

"It was the same with Siddy, who was honourable in all his dealings with us. He told me more than a year in advance what he was going to do and stuck to his guns.

"It would have been easy for him to bail out and not risk his future by going into tackles but he didn't and every Reading fan appreciated his contribution. He worked hard and was 100% committed."

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