Reading boss Steve Coppell admits he is having problems sleeping over their relegation battle.

"Does it give me sleepless nights? Of course it does," he told the Reading Evening Post. "I always think of that Bill Shankly quote, something along the lines of: 'losing is worse than death - because you have to live with losing'.

"If you want to sleep you don't become a football manager. Your mind is always racing. When you are watching a game from the sidelines your mind is racing, thinking what can you do to help.

"Then you go home and can't wait to get up so you can watch the tape and see how to put things right."

After conceding 52 goals in 25 games it is no surprise that Reading are in the position they are - and Coppell admits his side must sure up their defence or face the unwanted prospect of Championship football.

"Some of the performances have been very reminiscent of last year and some have been very poor," he said.

"I still feel the major factor for our season will be our defensive record and how many goals we concede.

"If any team doesn't start picking up clean sheets then it is going to be very hard for them to get out of the situation. We have to up our game defensively.

"We have to improve because silly mistakes are costing us and it can't continue."