Kevin Doyle believes Reading manager Steve Coppell was right not to "flog a dead horse" and give him a rest but the Republic of Ireland striker intends to be fighting fit for the visit of Wigan.

Last season's top scorer Doyle was not included in the side against Sunderland after a busy international week, taking on Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

But in his absence, the Royals lost 2-1 at the Stadium of Light and are now in the bottom three of the Premier League.

Doyle felt he benefited from the breather and will come back all the better for it.

"The gaffer said there was no point flogging a dead horse and I have played too many minutes and to be fair the international games were on two of the heaviest pitches I have played on," he said.

"He thought it was pointless taking me up to Sunderland when I looked shattered.  I wanted to go and I told him, but he made his decision.

"Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson had been here all week and prepared properly and Shane Long was fresh.

"If I was the manager I would think along the same lines. As a player I wanted to play, but it probably was the right decision. I certainly hope it is."

Doyle, who spent some away in Barcelona with his partner, added: "I have had a couple of days off doing nothing, while the other lads have worked their socks off, so hopefully I will get the benefit of it this Saturday against Wigan."