Royals striker Noel Hunt is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a bone fracture in the Royals' recent home draw against Barnsley.

Noel was injured in a collision with the Tykes' Darren Moore, and has been wearing a protective boot ever since.

He faces a further scan early next week, and Coppell is preparing to do without him, even if we end up in the play-offs, which are not completed until a month from now.

Speaking in a video interview that is live on our online TV station Reading World now, Royals boss Coppell said, "He's got a small fracture in a bone and he's unlikely to play a part now, however long our season is.

"But I will say that you never know with Noel, he's got a real will and determination to get fit as soon as he can.

"The incident itself was a total accident, Noel, as he does, was making an effort to keep the ball in play, and Darren Moore, as he does, was doing his defending by leaning on him with a considerable weight.

"There was no malice involved, he just caught his ankle. As you can imagine, when Darren Moore stands on you then you know about it. Obviously it's not good news for Noel or for us, and a mighty shame."

Steve does have better news on Kevin Doyle though, who has missed the last three games because of a knee injury.

Coppell said, "He trained on Thursday morning, we didn't have a full session but he joined in. The signs are good but you can't tell for sure until you make football movements. There's a difference between running on a field and going into a game. We're optimistic but I can't guarantee it."

On our other injured players Steve said, "We've not got too many complaints. Julian Kelly trained OK and he's fine.

"Chris Armstrong could have played on Tuesday night but he's got fluid on the knee and at this stage of the season you don't want to create a problem because our cup finals are still to come.

"It was a chance for him to take a breather and we also had to see what Dan Harding brought to the table.

"James Harper is making progress but with a groin injury you can't hurry it. The only thing that cures it is time.

"And Murty got 45 minutes for the reserves, Brynjar got a full game and Cisse played 80 minutes."

Finally, Steve said he is unlikely to change his team for Monday's final away trip of the season at Norwich, but will first see exactly who is available.

"It's always been my way not to make changes when we win. We've been crying out for some chemistry in the team that would create a result, and we got that.

"So I don't want to discourage any small amount of momentum we might have, but at the same time I know we've got senior pros coming back into the fold.

"Depending on what happens with other teams and their results on Saturday afternoon it could be that I chop and change. I could give some players a rest because the biggest part of our season may be coming later."

Watch the full interview with Steve on World now - see our free preview clip.