Reading six-guns: Superb Doyle leads the rout as Wednesday surrender

Steve Coppell claims he never doubted Kevin Doyle's commitment to Reading after he failed to gain a dream move back to the Barclays Premier League during the January transfer window.

The Republic of Ireland striker had a frustrating afternoon in the 2-0 defeat at Ipswich last Saturday but was back to his best last night after scoring his second hat-trick for Reading in three games.

Doyle was linked with Aston Villa, Sunderland and Tottenham on deadline day. But Coppell is just relieved to have the striker still in his team after watching Reading hit Wednesday for six and move up to fourth in the Championship.

'If you put yourselves in his shoes, he was very close to going, so all he can do is play,' said Coppell. 'He's in an environment where he's very much wanted.

'We've got to make sure we get the most out of him and that goes for the rest of them.

'Not intentionally, some players would have reacted to not going but he's very matter of fact and I knew him staying was never going to be a problem.'

League debutant Noel Hunt set up Doyle for an easy tap-in to get his new strike partnership with the Republic of Ireland forward off to the perfect start.

Doyle lashed the ball into the net via a deflection off Tony McMahon four minutes later following woeful Wednesday defending. Defender Andre Bikey then stepped up to make it 3-0 on the half-hour mark after meeting Stephen Hunt's 30-yard free-kick with a towering header.

Doyle then headed on for Noel Hunt to slot home in the 50th minute for his first Championship goal.

It was Doyle who notched the fifth, turning brilliantly inside the box to fire past Lee Grant for his hat-trick. Noel Hunt also got on the scoresheet again as Reading recorded their biggest win since beating West Ham 6-0 in the Premier League on New Year's Day in 2007.

Wednesday manager Brian Laws admitted his side looked 'a yard off the pace' but also blamed their poor display on a tiring sevenhour journey to Berkshire due to crashes on the M1.

'I'm very disappointed but the players have got to be prepared to come to a place like Reading and defend,' said Laws.

'I'd like to say Reading played like Real Madrid but 50 per cent of it was down to how poorly we played.

'We also got stuck in traffic and it took seven hours to get here so our preparation just went out of the window.'