Premier League Rumour Mill: Coppell looks to plug the midfield gaps

The Royals are fresh from Saturday's 3-1 win against Liverpool at the Madejski Stadium but Coppell is still not satisfied his squad is as strong as it should be.

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He has been forced to use a variety of players on the right-hand side of midfield and wants to purchase a player who will be comfortable in that department and hold down his place for the rest of the campaign.

Coppell's cause is not helped by long-term injuries to Glen Little and John Oster and the Royals boss said: "We have a problem in that we don't have the symmetry in the team that we have had for a couple of years.

"Stephen Hunt has done a terrific job when he's been on the right and Bobby Convey is still just coming back into the first team. John Oster has had surgery and Glen Little is going to be out for months.

"There are people we have identified but quality right midfielders who are available are a rarity."

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he hopes to bring in new faces even though he may not be spending any money.

He will have just 14 outfield players to choose from when Sulley Muntari, John Utaka, Kanu and Papa Bouba Diop play in the Africa Nations Cup in Ghana next month. He wants to bring in new recruits but admitted: "I will probably be looking to get some loans."

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has pulled out of a move for Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Edmilson as he believes he is not fit enough.

And the Magpies have joined the chase for Djurgardens utility player Lance Davids, who is also being monitored by Blackburn.

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Not fit enough to be a Magpie: Edmilson

Rovers may lose the services of striker Jason Roberts as he has become frustrated by the lack of first-team chances at Ewood Park and that has put Sunderland on alert.

They were one of the clubs keen on Sheffield United forward James Beattie but Blades manager Bryan Robson insists the former Everton and Southampton marksman is not leaving Bramall Lane.

Wigan and Birmingham are in a battle to sign Real Murcia striker Inigo, who will cost about £10m while Middlesbrough's Fabio Rochemback wants to rejoin Sporting Lisbon.

There's bad news for Coventry as billionaire Alki David has ditched his plans to buy the Sky Blues because he fears the club is falling apart.

Still in the Midlands and Wolves want to former Tottenham striker Steffen Iversen, currently playing for Rosenborg, for a second stint at Molineux.

Bolton may move for Nottingham Forest forward Nathan Tyson while Fulham have been linked with South Korea forward Cho Jae Jin, who plays for Shimizu S-Pulse, and may complete a deal in two weeks.

Rumour of the day: Croatia midfielder Luka Modric is set to snub both Arsenal and Chelsea and instead move from Dinamo Zagreb to Barcelona.

No chance: Nicolas Anelka has insisted he is happy at Bolton, despite reports linking him with a move to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.