JAAP Stam admits Reading FC striker Yann Kermorgant could teach him a thing or two about heading the ball.

Stam was regarded as one of the best centre-backs in world football during an illustrious playing career with Manchester United, Lazio, Milan, Ajax and the Netherlands.

But the 44-year-old Dutchman says he is in awe of Kermorgant's ability in the air at both ends of the pitch.

In-form Kermorgant scored with two brilliant headers in Tuesday's 3-1 victory against Blackburn, having netted a stunning winner from 18-yards to defeat Leeds United last Saturday.

The 35-year-old Frenchman – who last week revealed he will retire at the end of next season – now has four goals in his last three games, five in his last six and 13 overall in the current league campaign.

Not only that, he has also popped up with some crucial clearances with his head in his own penalty box during periods when Royals have been under pressure.

Stam gushed: “Yann is a threat and works very hard for the team. He’s not the biggest player but his timing is excellent.

“If we give him crosses in the right place he will finish them with class. His heading is so precise and he’s very important for the team.”

Stam, though, says Kermorgant does not require lessons from him when it comes to heading the ball.

“I didn’t need to do that,” insisted Royals' boss. “Maybe he’s even better at heading the ball and attacking it than me.

“Defensive headers are always easier than those when you are in attack. All you need to do as a defender is head to someone’s feet, but a striker needs to be aware of the ball, the goal, where the space is and the angles.

“The way he does it is class.”

Reading Chronicle:

Yann Kermorgant sends a precise header into the bottom corner of the Blackburn Rovers net during the 3-1 victory.

Kermorgant is also proving to be an invaluable asset in the Royals changing room while Stam's men continue to push for promotion through the play-offs.

The striker previously helped Bournemouth win the Championship title in 2014 and was a key part of the Charlton team that claimed the League One title in 2012.

Stam added: “It helps having Yann in the team because of his experience, of course.

“He always talks to the younger players. He also makes the older players aware of what can happen and how nice it is if you can do well in the play-offs and even win them to go up to the Premier League.”

Reading Chronicle:

Royals boss Jaap Stam.

Reading looked nailed on to finish in the Championship play-offs as they are nine points ahead of Fulham in seventh.

And Stam admits the chances of his side making up a 10 point deficit on Brighton in the last automatic promotion place are very slim.

“I'm not looking at that to be fair,” he stressed. “If we keep winning our games and they lose their then maybe there is an opportunity.

“But we don't really need to occupy ourselves with Newcastle or Brighton.

“When you think of what Brighton have done the last few season and that Newcastle came down from the Premier League then we are not really at that level yet.

“We don't look at them, we look at ourselves and the other teams nearby. Hopefully we can stay up there in the top six.”