Steve Coppell has spoken of why he felt the time was right to sell Ibrahima Sonko.

The central defender joined Premier League newboys Stoke City on Friday in a deal that could total £2.5million if the Potters survive the drop.

Royals’ boss said: “He was one of a number of players who suggested that if anything became available he would like to return to the Premiership and I think it was probably just time for a reboot to be honest.

“He has been here a few years now and maybe he needs a fresh challenge.”

Sonko and Coppell fell out last year when the Senegal international refused to play in a reserve match.

However, Coppell insisted: “That has nothing to do with him going – 100 per cent not. That is forgotten.

“I love him to bits. He was such a big part of our rise both as a player and a personality within the dressing room and now it’s just time for the next stage.”

Sonko made 136 appearances for Royals, scoring eight goals. He is the club’s joint leading scorer this season with three goals.

Ironically Sonko and Dave Kitson, who moved to the Britannia Stadium earlier in the summer, are in line for a swift reunion with their old team-mates as Royals were drawn away to Stoke in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Ties will take place in the week of September 22. Details of tickets have yet to be released.

Carling Cup 3rd rd: Arsenal v Sheff Utd, Brighton or Man City v Derby, Burnley v Fulham, Portsmouth v Chelsea, Blackburn Rov v Everton, Rotherham v Southampton, Swansea v Cardiff, Ipswich v Wigan, Stoke v Reading, Leeds v Hartlepool, Watford v West Ham, Man Utd v Middlesbro, Liverpool v Crewe, Aston Villa v QPR, Sunderland v Northampton, Newcastle v Tottenham Hotspur.