Reading boss Steve Coppell accepts Ibrahima Sonko's decision to join Senegal's African Nations Cup campaign.

He said: "I wasn't really expecting Sonko to say he was going to play but I fully sympathise and respect his decision. From my point of view, it gives me something to think about that ordinarily I wouldn't have bothered about.

"But you can't 'crystal ball-gaze' because you don't know how long they are going to be away for. It might only be two league games. In a way, I hope they don't do well - but that will be contrary to their thinking."