Reading goal scorer Yakou Meite admits he’s still not fully recovered from his long-term injury that kept him out for most of last season, despite netting two in two matches.

The Ivorian suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in pre-season last season, keeping him out of the squad until February.

Playing just one full match under then-interim boss Paul Ince, and suffering another ankle knock, he ended the campaign with just 13 appearances and failed to find the back of the net as the Royals remained in the Championship following a late run of form.

Playing key roles in all pre-season fixtures this summer, the fan favourite tucked home a Tom McIntyre cross to earn a draw against Premier League West Ham and he opened the scoring last night against Johnnie Jackson’s AFC Wimbledon.

Chasing a Lucas Joao flick-on header, the 26-year-old raced clear of two defenders and powerfully slotted a strike into the back of the net.

Speaking to the Reading Chronicle after the match, he could hardly contain his joy of getting back to first-team action.

“I haven’t had this feeling for a long time,” he started. “So, it’s always good to come on and score goals.

“I didn’t play for almost a year, and it was difficult. Even when I was on the pitch, I didn’t score, so it’s good to be back, get fit as soon as possible and score goals like I was before my injury.

“I’m still not 100 per cent, it will take time to recover from the injury I had, so I am trying my best. It is always good to be on the pitch and scoring goals so I think I will be flying when I’m 100 per cent.”

With just one more fixture remaining until the Championship season gets underway at Blackpool, Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion make the trip to the SCL Stadium on Saturday.

Another chance to impress, and get minutes in the legs, the goalscoring wide man believes it is the most important fixture of the summer.

“It’s a completely different game but at the same time it’s Premier League level, as we did against West Ham. I think we did well, and we need to do it again. It’s the last game of the pre-season so this one is the most important as after this there are no more friendly games, and we start the league.”