Steve Coppell insists Stephen Hunt has a big part to play in Reading's future amid rumours of interest from West Ham and Portsmouth.

Reports this week suggest Alan Curbishley and Harry Redknapp are targeting the Ireland international.

But Coppell is not ready to part with the 25-year-old winger who shot to prominence last season.

In fact, Coppell declared that Hunt is still an integral part of his plans, even though Bobby Convey's return to fitness after a long knee injury will increase competition on the left of midfield.

Hunt has proven to be one of Coppell's most loyal play-ers ever since he arrived at Crystal palace as a teenager when Coppell was boss at Selhurst Park.

Coppell later took him to Brentford and then to Reading where he has become a fans' favourite, clinching third place in last season's official Player of the Year awards behind Nicky Shorey and the winner Ivar Ingimarsson.

And Coppell said: "Players are a lot more professional now than they were in my day.

"Hunty's strength of mentality and his physical fitness have got him through.

"He never stops working hard on his skills. Sometimes people go as far as they can then settle for that, but he proves that's not always the case.

"He shows that with hard work and dedication you can keep improving and he's a key member of the team."

And he recalled: "I remember him breaking his ankle at Crystal Palace when he was young. He had only just come over from Ireland and he worked tirelessly for a year to get back. He's such a strong little so-and-so.

"Maybe it was that injury which made him as strong as he is now. But when lads like him move over to England at such a young age they have to be strong to survive."

Convey kept Hunt out of the side at the start of last season, but the American international picked up a troublesome knee injury and the Irishman quick-ly seized his chance.

He went on to start 28 out of 38 league games and scored four goals, including the winner in a 1-0 victory against Fulham in April.

"He's shown he's got that in him and he was fantastic for us all season," stated Coppell.

"He took his opportunity and he never looked back. He became a mainstay of the side and that's all down to him and his hard work."

And Pompey boss Redknapp has since played down the recent speculation. "He's done very well at Reading," said Redknapp. "I was impressed with him last season.