FORMER Reading FC academy star Tariqe Fosu was not good enough for first-team football for the Royals, manager Jaap Stam has said.

The fleet-footed forward was once tipped for stardom at Madejski Stadium after an impressive first-team outing against Derby County.

He was subsequently sent out on loan and despite impressing in League Two he was told his first-team opportunities in the Championship would be limited.

Fosu instead opted to join League One outfit Charlton Athletic, where he has scored seven goals in 15 games.

That includes a 'perfect hat-trick' in a 3-1 away win over Fleetwood Town, a team he joined on loan while on Royals' books.

Some supporters questioned whether Royals were right to allow Fosu to leave the club and likened the situation to that of Michail Antonio.

Antonio was allowed to join Sheffield Wednesday when his Reading FC career fell apart and now plays regular football for Premier League outfit West Ham United, as well as being on the fringes of the England national team.

But Dutchman Stam said Fosu's move was the right option.

"We tried Tariq over here," stated Stam.

"We had a look at him in training and we decided he wasn't ready to play for us yet.

"He decided he wanted to leave.

"Look at players like Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United. Why didn't he stay at Chelsea?

"He did well eventually but at the time he wasn't good enough so as a club you have to decide what's best for the player.

"Sometimes it takes time with players and they need a different route to get to where they want to be."