The Royals are reeling from back-to-back 3-0 defeats in the Premier League - at Bolton and then at home to West Ham - which have pushed them into one of the relegation spots ahead of Saturday's trip to Sunderland.

But Coppell has not been able to prepare as thoroughly as he would have liked because so many of his squad have been away on international duty and the ex-England man is convinced the next five fixtures will shape the entire season.

He said: "It has been a frustrating week because of so many people away. On the back of two comprehensive defeats we would have liked to have concentrated on putting a few things right that had been causing us concern.

"We have been learning as we go along because the last break we had was before the Bolton game and we had players included there who had been involved in midweek games and had nothing in their legs. They were running on vapour.

"Again I have got to look at that and choose what is not necessarily what I would consider my best team but the best team given the occasion and the preparation. That has a big part to play in the decision-making process.

"This is a very important period of five games between the next international break.

"Over a quarter of the season will have been played and by then you can certainly get an idea of where you are sat and what you need to do.

"After five games it can just be a coincidence of the fixtures but after a further five you know where your priorities lie. These will be big games for everyone in the division. Everyone has something to prove."

Coppell also believed the fixture list favoured the bigger teams, with Chelsea and Arsenal not having to leave London this weekend and Manchester United making the short trip to Everton. Only Liverpool of the title contenders must hit the road to get to Portsmouth.

He said: "It sounds like sour grapes but we travel further than anyone else the weekend after an international.

"The big boys don't seem to travel very far but after the next international break guess where we travel on the Saturday? Blackburn.

"It does sound like sour grapes but for me it is meaningful - it does have an effect.

"I'm sure that when they ask round at the end of the summer if there are any particular requirements the big boys say 'if you want us to co-operate on certain other things, then do us a little favour in return'.

"I might be totally wrong but it does seem a hell of a coincidence."

Deadline day signing Liam Rosenior, who was not recruited in time to feature against West Ham, stands by for a debut as Coppell seeks to find a solution to the weakness on the right flank caused by injuries to Glen Little and John Oster.