JAAP Stam has backed Yann Kermorgant and Joseph Mendes to handle the team’s goalscoring responsibilities.

Stam failed to bring in another striker before last week’s transfer deadline as a replacement for broken-ankle victim Deniss Rakels.

Aston Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor and QPR’s Conor Washington were both heavily linked with Royals, while ex-Sunderland man Asamoah Gyan failed a medical at Madejski Stadium.

However, Stam is confident there is enough firepower already in his squad.

“Firstly we have two very good strikers in Yann Kermorgant and Joseph Mendes who I think can perform for us,” he said.

“They have done very well. Yann knows English football, while Joseph is a quality player who still needs to develop and improve even more.”

Stam has also been linked with York City youngster Aidan Connolly, who was watched by Royals scouts last week.

Royals’ boss added: “We had a third striker with Deniss Rakels but he’s dropped out through injury.

“However, we were still looking for another striker because if either Kermorgant or Mendes aren’t performing or pick up an injury then we need somebody behind them who can play in that position.

“We’re still looking for that, but we didn’t succeed in bringing them in.

“Of course, it’s still possible if someone is still available as a free transfer, but it’s not going to be easy.”

Ex-England striker Agbonlahor is said to have turned down a move to Reading from Aston Villa, while Washington failed to secure a move from Loftus Road.

Stam added: “We’re not going to name names, but we were close to a couple of players, not both but one or the other.

“It didn’t go through but we did want to bring someone in, not to make him first choice and play him straight away but to fill certain positions. We were disappointed we couldn’t do that.

“Maybe we need to do something in January, maybe we don’t, but I am happy with our squad.”

Reading return to Championship action tonight after the international break when they host Ipswich Town at Madejski Stadium (8pm ko).

Royals romped to a 5-1 victory in the same fixture last season when Steve Clarke was manager, but Stam is warning fans not to expect a repeat of that memorable win.

“It’s not going to be the same,” he quipped. "The score doesn’t matter to me as long as we win.

“It’s not going to be easy because Ipswich are a difficult side to play.

“They are physical and straight forward. It’s going to be difficult so we need to be patient in certain situations and try to create chances.”

Meanwhile, Stam has been handed an injury boost ahead of tonight's clash as Chelsea summer signing John Swift has recovered from a hamstring problem that ruled him out of England U21s action this week.

Stam confirmed: “He's fully fit. We did a lot of work with him this week and we will decide whether he will be in the squad.

“He's the type of player who, if he's fit, you want in your squad.

“But we have also seen that without John Swift we can also win games."

However, Royals have confirmed Yakou Meite's ankle injury is worse than first feared and could rule the summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain out for up to a month.

The 20-year-old picked up the injury in training and a recent scan confirmed ligament damage.

Stam explained: "The damage hadn't healed but he doesn't need an operation. It's disappointing for him because he is so eager to play."

Reading, 1-0 winners at Cardiff City before the international break, could rise to third in the Championship with a victory against Mick McCarthy's Ipswich, who are unbeaten in three in the league.

However, Stam warned: “I'm not thinking about that at all. It's far too early to look at the table.

“We're making progress but Ipswich are a quality team. Their work rate is excellent and all my players know they are going to have a very difficult evening. We need to be up for it - and we are.”

Ipswich Town could field two debutants with striker Leon Best and midfielder Tom Lawrence likely to be involved, though Wales midfielder Jonny Williams is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Reading will be searching for their sixth consecutive home win against Ipswich, who have not tasted victory in Berkshire on their last 11 visits stretching back to a 1-0 success in March 2009.

But Royals have won juts one of their last five Championship home fixtures, while the Tractor Boys have lost only once in their last 10 league games.

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