Reading manager Steve Coppell insists Dave Kitson, the top English striker in the Barclays Premier League this season with eight goals, deserves a place in Fabio Capello's first squad.

Coppell said: "One of the real plus points with Capello is that he had no pre-conceived ideas of any team outside the top four. He came to England with a blank page. He had not seen anybody and one can only assume that he's been impressed with Kits and rightfully so.

"He's good in the air, left foot, right foot, he's got decent pace and knowledge of the game. He's got a spark, he's different. He's a targetman and he's subtle. It's not just a head on a stick."

Kitson, 28, stacked shelves at Sainsbury's after leaving school but reached the Premier League with Reading after spells with nonleague Arlesey Town and Cambridge United, then in League Two.

Coppell signed him for £150,000 five years ago and has been repaid with 58 goals in 111 starts.