Steve Coppell has urged Kevin Doyle to stop trying so hard to score in the hope that his hot streak will continue at Ipswich Town tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

The Reading striker had managed just one goal in 25 matches before rattling in a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace in their last Champion-ship fixture two weeks ago.

And he followed that up with the opener in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 victory over Georgia last Saturday.

Doyle returned from international duty yesterday and will lead Royals’ attack as they visit Portman Road looking to secure their first away win of the season.

“The bottom line is that any striker is judged on his number of goals,” admitted Coppell. “But I kept looking, even through his dry period and the number of opportunities and strikes on goal he had didn’t really change at all, so he was still there to miss them.

“You can try too hard, you think about it too much. When you are more relaxed, almost calm about it, opportunities just present themselves.

“When you try to force things the less they actually fall at your feet and go in the back of the net.

“Every striker will say when they don’t even appear to be trying the ball goes in the back of the net and I’m sure that was the case against Palace.

“He was in the right place at the right time and I think that was a by-product of the dry spell.

“He’s never gone hiding, he’s never disappeared from being in that situation where he was wanting to score so I have been confident all along that he would get back on the goal trail.

“It is significant. I always say you need your forwards to score in this division. It would be important to maintain a return going through the season.”

Coppell is likely to keep faith with Shane Long and Doyle up front, although Noel Hunt is pushing for a start.

Royals’ boss, though, admits he has yet to decide on his best partnership. He added: “I think it will change as the season develops. Opportunities present themselves, different surfaces, different conditions.

“Sometimes you might need more meatier combinations. It will sort itself out.”

Ipswich, who lost just once at Portman Road last season, have lost both their home games already this time around.

However, Coppell has put that down to the amount of changes in personnel Blues boss Jim Magilton has made.

Coppell added:  “We have had four games in the division and their team has changed an awful lot, even in those games. They have brought players in like Volz, Campo and Stead on loan and Counago has come back and Lee’s gone.

“The team that plays against us will be totally different to the team that started the season.”

Royals are still without the injured Michael Duberry (calf) and Marek Matejovsky (ankle), while skipper Graeme Murty and Bryn Gunnarsson will not be involved despite recovering from injuries.

HOW WILL IT GO?

Reading travel to Portman Road tomorrow looking for their first away league win of the season.

The Tractor Boys had an excellent home record last season, but have struggled in their own back yard this time around.

Reading looked superb two weeks ago against Palace and will be full of confidence.

A point will be a good result and I fancy Steve Coppell’s men to get a 1-1 draw.

Nick Ive