JAAP Stam refused to confirm Jon Dadi Bodvarsson will start for Reading FC against Brentford this Saturday despite a midweek hat-trick (3pm ko).

Bodvarsson grabbed all three goals, including a stunning second, as Royals defeated League Two Stevenage in an FA Cup third-round replay at Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night.

The 3-0 victory – Reading’s first in nine matches – earns Stam’s men a trip to Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round on Friday, January 26 (7.45pm).

Bodvarsson was the destroyer in chief against Stevenage as he doubled his goal tally for the season to six with a superb treble.

But Stam insisted there is no guarantee Bodvarsson will start against the Bees with last season’s 19-goal top scorer Yann Kermorgant also available this weekend.

Stam, who is being heavily linked with a loan swoop for Derby County striker Chris Martin, said: “If you score three goals you make a very good impression so we need to make a decision for Saturday.

“Everyone knows we’ve been searching for goals so if someone is doing well they will have the opportunity to play, but I’m not saying it’s going to happen.

“He needs to show himself in games and he certainly did that on Tuesday.”


Bodvarsson has now scored six goals in 23 games in all competitions since his £1m move from current Championship leaders Wolves last summer.

The Iceland international has suffered a series of niggling injuries during the campaign but is now back to full fitness.

Stam added: "He may have had an opportunity last week against Stevenage but he was ill and couldn’t play.

“But he’s a very positive guy who work very hard for the team. He brings a lot of energy and when you are not always starting games that’s how you approach it.”

All three of Bodvarsson’s goals against Stevenage came from Chris Gunter assists on the Welshman’s 250th appearance for the Royals.

The 29-year-old full-back delivered three accurate crosses from the left for Bodvarsson and was one of Royals’ stand-out players on the night.


However, the club’s vice-captain continues to draw criticism from some supporters, which Stam feels is unjustified.

“We know what Chris can do,” said Stam. “People sometimes talk about Chris in certain ways, but he’s the type of player who is always ready and always brings a lot of energy to the game.

“If the opportunity is there he wants to go forward and take the initiative. He claimed a couple of great assists and he was very positive.”