YAKOU Meite was the first to admit he is ‘on fire’ after netting his sixth goal in five games for Reading FC.

The Ivorian striker’s dazzling brace spared Paul Clement’s blushes in a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town on Saturday.

His improvised overhead kick cancelled out a Gwion Edwards early opener.

Then, after Freddie Sears had regained the lead for Ipswich, Meite equalised with a sensational late header – which he described as Didier Drogba-esque – six minutes from time.

The 22-year-old, who recently signed a four-year deal at Madejski Stadium, was also quick to dismiss supporters who criticised his contract extension.

He stressed: “I think I’m on fire at the moment. It’s great, I just need to keep on going. I was happy to score again but we really wanted us to win.

“It’s great to be able to show what I can do. I saw a lot of speculation about me signing a new deal.

“I know it’s a long time but I just try to stay focused. I want to show the supporters that I deserve it.”

Meite’s sensational start to the season, following a season-long loan at FC Socheux last year, has earned him his first call-up to the Ivory Coast national team for their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea this Sunday.

He will link up with the likes of Premier League star Wilfried Zaha on his travels, and Meite hopes to continue his goal-scoring form.

“This is one of the best parts of my career,” he added. “I’m scoring consistently and I just need to stay confident.

“Hopefully I’ll get to play for my national team and I will score so I can keep going.

“I take every game as it comes. It’s the first time I’ve scored six in a season so I just want to score more.”

Meite will return to Berkshire after the international break when Reading face a daunting run of games.

And with Royals now out of the relegation zone, Meite is confident they can turn their fortunes around.

“We’re unbeaten in the last two games so we just need to carry on going,” he declared.

“We just can’t lose. We have to keep our confidence and keep scoring.

“It’s important that we stop conceding.

“That’s not just the defenders’ fault, it’s down to everyone.”