DOMINIC Samuel insists  he will score goals in the Championship if given the chance by Steve Clarke.

The 21-year-old opened his account for pre-season by firing Reading FC into the lead against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening.

It has been a long road back to recovery for Samuel after fracturing his ankle  during a loan spell at Coventry City last season.

The forward was in fine form at the Ricoh Arena, scoring six times in 12 games towards the end of last season as he helped the Sky Blues avoid relegation in League One.

He has now set his sights on forcing his way into  Clarke’s plans at Reading, and the confident youngster is certainly not lacking belief.

“The goals I scored last season gave me confidence and I want to take that into this year,” he said. “The aim now is to do it in the championship with Reading.

“I need to make sure every match counts, do what the gaffer asks and make sure we get the three points in every game.

“You have to have confidence in yourself and believe in your ability, and I think that I can score goals in the Championship.

“I get the sense that the fans want me to do well. On social networks the fans give me confidence and I want to take that into each game and show them what I can do.”

Reading’s struggles for goals last season prompted fans to call for the inclusion of Samuel, who was prolific at under-21 level.

He didn’t get his chance last season but having seen the impact that fellow youngsters such as Tariqe Fosu and Niall Keown have made, Samuel believes it is in his own hands to force his way into the first-team squad.

]The Southwark-born youngster is still on his way back to full fitness after undergoing successful surgery on his ankle, and he admits his immediate priority is getting his match sharpness back in pre-season.

“It was only my second game in three and a half months [against Bristol Rovers] so it went well for me. I got my goal, but there’s a lot more to come,” he declared.

“I’m feeling better with every game and I’m just taking each day as it comes, working hard, getting my sharpness and finishing back and hopefully it’ll be a good season for me.

“The main thing is to get back into the groove and, as the season gets closer, I’ll talk to Steve Clarke about his plans for me.”

  • READING FC face stern competition in their pursuit of Robert Beric.

A bid from the Royals was rejected earlier this summer, with Rapid Vienna reportedly holding out for €5 million.

Reading are in no position to meet that price but remain interested in the striker, who scored 27 goals last season in the Austrian League.

Italian club Frosinone have now joined the race for the striker and could be willing to meet Vienna’s demand, according to reports in Italy.

Hertha Berlin are also tracking the forward.