Blackburn Rovers are looking for a lift at Reading tomorrow - but manager Mark Hughes is not expecting an easy ride from his old pal Steve Coppell.

Rovers head to the Madejski Stadium in desperate need of a win to stop them from slipping into the Premiership's relegation zone.

But Hughes is not anticipating any favours from his opposite number, Coppell, who has guided the unfancied Royals to seventh position in the table during a brilliant first half to the season.

Praising the job Coppell has done at Reading, Hughes said of his former Manchester United colleague: "I was an apprentice when Steve was at United.

"I think he was injured with his knee at the time so he didn't play a great deal.

"But he was still around the place and he gave me a lift in his car once. It was a white Jag so I was very impressed!

"I was waiting for the bus and he pulled in to pick me up.

"He probably won't remember that, but I still do!

"Seriously, though, Steve has been a good manager for a long time and he's enjoyed success at other clubs as well, which is always a mark of a good manager.

"He's probably exceeded all expectations this season and it's probably helped that he's had a settled side.

"Reading are playing with a lot of spirit, emotion and adrenalin.

"Everything is new to them and not a lot of players in the side have had experience of the Premier League before, so it's very exciting for them and they're responding to that."