READING FC boss Jaap Stam said Joseph Mendes took his chance after the Frenchman’s stunning brace in the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa yesterday (Saturday).

Mendes, 25, was called into Stam’s starting XI for the first time since making the switch to Berkshire from French outfit Le Havre last summer.

In a season hampered by niggling injuries and a lack of first-team football, Mendes took just six minutes to open his Championship account.

And despite a fightback from the hosts, Mendes was on hand just seconds into the second half to double his tally for the afternoon and the season.

An exhausted Mendes was eventually replaced by veteran forward Yann Kermorgant, but Stam said he was delighted with his performance.

The manager asserted: “He has been unlucky this season both with injuries and the decisions I made.

“He’s a very positive guy and he’s improved a lot. He has strength, pace and he can score goals. His technique has improved.

“We are very happy with him, if you are a sub you have to respond in a certain way and that’s what he has done.

“If you get the opportunity you need to take the chance and that’s what he’s done, it’s very impressive.”

The result saw Reading bounce back from a grim 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Norwich City last weekend.

Stam assured fans before the game his players would not let the result shape the rest of Reading’s seasons.

“We spoke about having to bounce back,” Stam told BBC Radio Berkshire.

“We’ve done it several times this season.

“They’ve had a great one of results but we were very well prepared. We knew where to hurt them and that’s what we did.

“We were confident and disciplined and we got the result.

“It’s in our hands to make it into the top six and that’s all we need to think about now.”

Reading only have today (Sunday) to recover before they face already relegated Rotherham United at Madejski Stadium on Monday (3pm KO).

Dutchman Star said there will be changes to the squad given the quick turnaround, but warned his players not to underestimate their opposition.

He concluded: “We need to have a look at all the players and see how they are and how they feel.

“I don’t think it’s normal, especially towards the end of the season when everyone knows it’s going to be decisive.

“I don’t understand why we couldn’t have played the Villa game on Thursday.

“Not all the players will be able to play again against Rotherham.

“Rotherham won’t be relaxed. As a player you don’t want to lose. Even if you’re relegated you want to do well because it could mean earning a contract or earning a transfer over the summer.

“People might think it’s going to be easy but sometimes these are the hardest games to play.”