Kalifa to give Coppell selection headache

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• More Premier League news club by club

Cisse was man of the match against Manchester United in the Royals' last Barclays Premier League match, despite their 2-0 defeat.

And if he continues in similar fashion for the trip to Stamford Bridge he will leave Coppell with a tough decision to make as first-choice Ibrahima Sonko is due to return sooner than expected from the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Impressive form: Reading's Kalifa Cisse

Sonko's Senegal are all but out of the tournament following a 2-2 draw with Tunisia and a 3-1 defeat by Angola, meaning the defender known to Reading fans as 'Superman' should return in time for the home match against Bolton on Saturday.

Coppell will have to decide which of them to pair with the ever-reliable Ivar Ingimarsson, or else opt for three centre-backs — a tactic which failed to work in his side's 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

Reading's two other option are missing from the trip to Chelsea — Brynjar Gunnarsson has a groin injury, while Michael Duberry is out with a knee ligament damage.

New signing Jimmy Kebe will not be considered as he has a slight hamstring strain. However, Coppell clearly believes the Mali international is the man to help solve his main selection headache.

"It was a good deal for us, he's the right man at the right time," said Coppell. "We have a scout in France who looks at games for us and makes recommendations. For some time he's recommended Jimmy as a player to watch.

"We've had right-sided issues for most of this season, even though I thought it was our strongest position at the start of the year.

"It's the right time for us, we have a need. He looked to be a good option at a price we can afford. We see growth and potential in him, that's important and the timing was right."