Coppell says a Uefa Cup place can be a burden

The Premiership debutants are eighth in the top flight - only two points adrift of sixth place and a position that would book a Uefa Cup berth.

But Coppell said: "We're not geared up for Europe.

"It would be too heavy a load in our development, which would not be good for us."

Coppell confirmed that the club would not be entering the Intertoto Cup if the opportunity arose and says the strains on the squad are his main reason for not being keen on playing in Europe.

It's been a burden to a lot of clubs and we can't afford to have that burden - It's a real conundrum for our future Reading boss Steve Coppell

He added: "You can only challenge with a seriously deep squad.

"We would not get value and our concern is just playing our cup finals every weekend in the Premiership.

"We would have to add numbers and if you do that it can upset things. That would concern me.

"We've got to work with a tight unit because that's what we are about."

Southampton manager George Burley led former club Ipswich to fifth place in 2000-2001 after the club were promoted to the Premiership the previous season.

The lofty position ensured they qualified for the Uefa Cup but the added pressure of a European campaign arguably led to their relegation the following season.

Coppell said: "George told me that you can go into Europe too early. The odds are against you.

"With the way the Uefa Cup is formed you might get a couple of games in eastern Europe to start so there is no real television revenue and you lose money because you have had to get more players.

"It's been a burden to a lot of clubs and we can't afford to have that burden. It's a real conundrum for our future."