Reading manager Steve Coppell hopes Middlesbrough's midweek cup exploits will give his side the edge in Saturday's Premier League encounter.The Royals have nose-dived alarmingly since Christmas and have lost each of their last league fixtures - an unwanted club record - and Coppell has promised to make changes at the Riverside Stadium.

Defenders Ibrahima Sonko and Kalifa Cisse are the men most at risk following error-ridden displays against Villa and Ivar Ingimarsson and Andre Bikey are waiting for the nod to replace them.

Coppell made it clear he had been annoyed by a lack of communication between long-time regular pick Sonko and summer signing Cisse, even though both speak French.

He said: "It wasn't a bond that was commanding on the day."

In contrast to Reading's woes, Boro's form this year has been much improved and Gareth Southgate's side are now regarded as outsiders to be sucked back into the relegation picture, which sees Reading third from bottom and a point behind Birmingham, who have a much better goal difference tally.

Boro were involved in a midweek FA Cup replay with Sheffield United that went into extra-time so Coppell is hopeful there might be some tired legs in the home line-up.

He said: "You never tell with those situations and on the face of it seems to be a very small thing but as long as we are competitive going into the closing 15 minutes it could be a factor."

Defender Michael Duberry and midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson have resumed training following injury but neither is ready for a first team comeback.

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