MATEJ Vydra thanked Reading FC fans for signing his name after his match-winning display against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup.

Vydra scored a second-half hat-trick as Brian McDermott's men recovered from 2-0 down to win 5-2 in a pulsating third-round replay on Tuesday night.

The on-loan Watford striker had received plenty of criticism from supporters and the media for his recent performances.

But there was nothing but praise for the 23-year-old Czech ace after his goals helped fire Royals into the fourth round and a home tie against Walsall.

“When you hear fans singing your name it's very nice,” admitted Vydra.

“You feel like you are flying, you know you have done something special.

“It's the same if you score one goal and the team gets three points, it's a nice feeling.

“Maybe I don't know how to celebrate properly, but it was nice to score three goals.

“It doesn't matter if I celebrate by jumping around, it's all about how many goals I score.

“Now I hope the fans are on my side, but it was only one game. Now I have to do it again on Saturday.”

Vydra picked the perfect time to score the first hat-trick of his professional career on Tuesday when Jamie Paterson and Tommy Smith put Terriers 2-0 up.

But the visitors saw Jonathan Hogg sent off for fouling Vydra and, after Lucas Piazon pulled one back, Vydra netted three times in the second half before Alex Fernandez notched a fifth with his first for the club.

“It was my first hat-trick in professional football,” beamed Vydra. “Maybe it seems strange that I'm a striker and hadn't scored one but sometimes you have to wait for a special moment.

“I feel a lot more confident after scoring three goals. Sometimes when you are not scoring you are thinking too much, sometimes it's better to close your eyes and shoot.

“Right now I have scored a hat-trick and I have confidence, so I hope more goals will come.

“I'm really enjoying my time here. When I'm not scoring goals it may look like I'm not enjoying it, but football is my life.”

Vydra joined Royals on a season's loan last summer and he admits it has taken him time to settle.

“Every sesason I have been going somewhere on loan so I have adapt to new players, a new position maybe, a new city and a new gaffer.

“Sometimes you need more time than normal and maybe I need it with Reading.

“Hopefully the time has come now when I can show my quality and score more goals.

“It's difficult being a loan player. Maybe that's why I signed five years with Watford before this season.

“Then I come to Reading and I have to forget about that. Now I'm trying my best to help this team.

“I was a Watford player last season, now a I'm Reading player.”

Royals boss Brian McDermott bolstered his attack this week with the £500,000 signing of Bournemouth striker Yann Kermorgant.

And Vydra, with six goals this season, is looking forward to striking up a partnership with the 34-year-old Frenchman.

“It's up the gaffer now me which players he picks,” Vydra said.

“But if I have a player who understands me like Troy Deeney did at Watford it can definitely work.

“I will just listen to the gaffer and do my best, whether I'm playing left or right wing or even goalkeeper.

“But my favourite is playing number 10, where Lucas Piazon is now. He's doing well there and he scored in the last game, so it's up to the gaffer.”

Reading host Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow (3pm) with Paul McShane, Michael Hector and Garath McCleary all doubtful and Aaron Tshibola ruled out.

However, Jordan Obita could return to the squad having come through a practice match this week.