Reading's signing of veteran striker Les Ferdinand is not upsetting veteran striker Shaun Goater.

Although Steve Coppell's purchase of 38-year-old former England international Ferdinand would appear to be the final nail in the coffin of Goater's Royals career, the 34-year-old Bermudian remains incomprehensibly upbeat.

“I am not worried about the signing, I know my role at the club and I am going to continue to work hard and perform whatever role they see fit for me,” said Goater, who has started just two league games this season and remains rock bottom of Coppell's strikers pecking order.

“I think Les is a great signing for us. He is a quality player but more than that it sends out a message that Reading aren't just a club making up the numbers, but a team serious about promotion to the Premiership.

“At training yesterday, everyone had an extra spring in their step, and a lot of that can be put down to the arrival of Les. It is a smart bit of business by the chairman, it is going to inspire the players, put bums on seats at the stadium and hopefully on the field he can help us get promotion.”

Goater's star at Reading has fallen consistently since Coppell arrived at the club last season in place of Alan Pardew, who originally brought the Bermudian striker from Manchester City to the Championship side.

Against the odds, Goater finished top scorer last campaign, albeit with just 13 goals, but this year the striker has been no more than a bit-part player, starting League Cup games, playing in the reserves and being tossed on to the field for just a handful of minutes at the end of games.

Goater also missed out on the Digicel Cup trip to St. Vincent when an 11th hour request from Reading for him to stay - with the promise of guaranteed involvement in the next league game - came to nought. Bermuda were knocked out and Goater watched the game against Wigan as an unused sub from the bench.

Coppell, who dropped the Goat when on a hot scoring streak last season, has consistently failed to show any interest in the proven goalscorer, something the signing of Ferdinand has proved beyond any doubt.

Whether Goater's relegation to cameo roles is related to a contract clause that Reading would have to pay City a substantial amount of cash if the striker plays 50 games - he has been stuck on 48 for weeks - or some other reason, remains a matter for speculation around Bermuda's football grounds.

But, whatever the reason, the Goat's days appeared to be numbered at Reading - even if Goater is the only one who doesn't believe it.

“Everyone has a role to play,” continued Goater, who is available for loan although a deal with QPR recently fell through and nothing else suitable has yet arisen.

“I am going to keep doing what I'm doing and see what happens. There may be injuries or suspensions and I will be here ready to do a job when they call on me.

“Every club I have played for in my career, I have been committed to and that is the same here.

“Reading are a great club and there is a great atmosphere and camaraderie among the players. I am committed to Reading and I will do whatever I have to for them and to help in our push for promotion.”

Goater, in keeping with his incredulously positive approach in the face of grave footballing circumstances, said that Ferdinand's arrival had redirected some of the “dressing room banter” away from him.

“They call me ‘The Legend', they call me ‘Fossil' but now Les is here, he can be the subject of some of that,” he added, laughing to himself.

“This is the first time for a while I am not the old guy and I can't help enjoying that a little bit.”