Steve Coppell says that defender Andre Bikey has all the attributes required to become one of the very best players in the Barclays Premier League.

Bikey scored both goals in last weekend's 2-1 win over Birmingham, and since he came back into the team we have won three games out of four. He was also named in last week's official Actim team of the week, and was rated as the top defender in the country in that round of fixtures.

Coppell believes the 23-year-old has all the attributes required to become a top player, and wants him to progress by maintaining his form and concentration.

Speaking to our online TV station Reading World, Steve said, "He should be one of the best in the league.

"He's got a little bit of everything. He's got great experience for a young man with his international caps and having played in Spain, Portugal, Russia and now England.

"He plays in the national team, took his side to the semi-finals of the Cup Of Nations, obviously blotted his copybook at that stage and who knows what difference he'd have made in the final?

"He's a laid back character in many ways and sometimes that's too evident in his football, but you look at the raw materials with strength, power, pace and aerial ability.

"He's got to accept more responsibility to marshall the defence, that's for sure, and hopefully he can go onwards and upwards by being a key player for us."

Andre was back in Spain earlier this week for family reasons, and returned to training as normal on Thursday.

Since signing from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer of 2006, initially on loan, Andre has made 23(+15) appearances in a Reading shirt, scoring four goals. In that time he has received ten bookings and one red card.

Our official bookmakers Bet365 make him a very generous 40/1 to score the first goal on Saturday - sign up and help the club when you place your stake.

He will line up alongside Ivar Ingimarsson in this weekend's vital home game with Blackburn Rovers. Reading's only injury worry is Jimmy Kebe, who picked up a knock playing for Mali.

Rovers wait on Roque Santa Cruz, who was hurt by his Blackburn teammate Aaron Mokoena while playing for Paraguay against South Africa.

A full interview with Steve Coppell is live on Reading World now - click here for a free preview clip. He discusses John Oster, Glen Little, how to beat Blackburn and much more. Sign up from less than 10p per day and you can also see our new Simod Cup coverage, as well as listen to Rovers commentary.