Reading manager Mark Bowen has praised forward Yakou Meite for his excellent work rate that he consistently provides.

The Ivorian has now scored ten goals in all competitions this season despite playing the majority of his games from a wide position.

He's been a constant name on the team-sheet under Bowen and has featured in 27 of Reading's 33 Championship games so far in the current campaign.

Meite signed on a free transfer in 2016 having been released by French giants Paris Saint Germain. Now, the 24-year-old is a key part of the setup at the Madejski Stadium.

Bowen has expressed his delight with the way he tracks back and helps his full-backs. He is happy with the forward's goals but even more grateful for the ongoing work rate Meite offers.

Speaking to the Reading Chronicle, Bowen said: "Yakou is now on double figures for the season, but more than that, we were up against ten men and there were two minutes to go in the game.

"He was still sprinting back to fill in the right hand channel and help out Andy Yiadom in front of him.

"He does that job as a striker, and it’s a thankless task at times, but I am more inclined to look at what he does off the ball, and the work rate he gives."

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The Verdict

Meite is a player who works so hard for his team. It is brilliant to see, although in some games it can run him out of steam for when he is actually in possession.

He has a knack of scoring important goals for the Royals and there's no reason why the player can't stay at the club for many more years and become a legend.

He has bought into what Bowen wants from his squad incredibly well. He wants the team to be much harder to beat and Meite has been a key piece of the jigsaw to making that happen.

At just 24, there is still evidence that the player could go on and improve in the future.