Coppell Unsure About Mate

Royals boss Steve Coppell has admitted he is yet to make a decision regarding the future of Hungarian defender Peter Mate.

Mate joined Reading on loan from Hungarian side Debrecen in August 2006.

Due to a cruciate ligament injury, Mate was restricted to just one appearance last season, a league cup tie with Darlington in which he scored the equaliser to take the game to penalties.

Following his unfortunate injury last season, Mate's loan was extended until January 2008.

A series of smaller injuries since then however, have prevented him from making an impact on the first team.

Despite his problems, Steve Coppell is not giving up on him.

The Reading boss believes Mate is very close to full fitness and is hoping he will be challenging for a first team place before his loan deal expires.

Coppell told readingfc.co.uk "Our responsibility has been to get him to full fitness.

"He's had his cruciate, and we feel he's probably 90% fit now.

"Once he's fit, a decision will be made on his future."

With the Royals set to lose centre-backs Andre Stephane Bikey and Ibrahima Sonko to the African Cup of Nations in January, now could be the perfect opportunity for Mate to force his way into Coppell's plans.