Coca-Cola Divisions: Reading - Preview

Nickname: The Royals
Ground: Madejski Stadium
Capacity: 24,200
Last season: 9th
Manager: Steve Coppell (October 2003)

In: Glen Little (Burnley), Paul Brooker (Leicester), Ibrahima Sonko (Brentford), Bobby Convey (DC United).

Out: Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth), Andre Boucaud (Peterborough), John Salako (Brentford), Kevin Watson (Colchester), Richard Bouton (Torquay), Joe Gamble, Kelvin Jack, Andre Fashanu.

Verdict: Though Reading flirted with the play-offs last season, their campaign was about consolidation after the acrimonious departure of boss Alan Pardew. Pardew's mentor Steve Coppell has since stamped his own mark and is eyeing a top-six finish in his first full term.

Key man: Dave Kitson.