Steve Coppell believes Reading are in a no lose situation regarding Steve Sidwell.
Reading manager Steve Coppell believes The Royals are in a no lose situation regarding contract rebel Steve Sidwell.The former Arsenal youngster's future is in the air after he rejected two improved contract offers from The Madejski outfit.
Reading are keen to secure Sidwell's services for the long-term, but with Charlton reportedly sniffing around he could exit the club this close-season.
As far as Coppell is concerned, he believes Sidwell needs to perform to depart and that will only help retain The Royals' Premiership status in their first season in England's top-flight.
"If he does stay, he's got to play to get away and that can only be to our advantage but I would hope there's still some more dialogue to be had," Coppell told Sky Sports News.
"He's got to play out of his skin to attract other teams to sign him so it's a no-lose situation all round as far as I'm concerned. You'd have to ask him what it's about - he's ambitious."
Reading striker Kevin Doyle is hopeful Sidwell's deal can be extended, while midfielder James Harper was staying well clear of the subject.
"Steve has a year left on his contract so obviously it's not that much of a panic, but it's always nice to see players signing and hopefully they can sort something out," said Doyle.
Harper joked: "You can't ask me that. You've got to ask him, you can't ask me. Do me a favour. I can't say can I?"
Meanwhile, Coppell is hoping the club's new signing Seol Ki-hyeon can reproduce the form he has displayed over the years for his country South Korea.
"He wasn't our first priority signing. I must say that, but he's turned out to be our first signing," Coppell added.
"I just hope he can reproduce the form he's showed on occasions with Wolves but most directly with his country."
