Reading boss Paul Ince has called upon striker Lucas Joao to continue his fine form on the international stage when returning to club level.
The Angola star found the net last week during the break, his first goal since his return from injury.
With five goals this season, the 29-year-old's form has dropped from recent seasons where he has been one of the most prolific forwards in the division.
43 goals in 127 appearances for the club is one of the best records of any striker at RG2 since moving the SCL Stadium- and Ince is calling on the former Sheffield Wednesday star to refind it.
A first international goal for Lucas Joao! Putting Angola ahead against Ghana from the spot 😎🇦🇴pic.twitter.com/K9eFYNgyHa
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) March 27, 2023
"We know what he’s capable of, we’ve seen his record. With Lucas, he’s one of those where we’ve gone with AC, Yak and even Thomas can play up there, it’s been unfair on him at times. We know that when he’s on it and at it, he’s our talisman. He can give us something totally different to what Andy Carroll can and Yak.
"But, we are a team where we need to be working 110 per cent, everyone. We don’t carry passengers here, we all have to be working, and that’s the mantra for me. The last two games we’ve seen it with Lucas. This is the business part of the season, it's where you need your Lucas’, AC’s and Yak’s to turn up. I spoke to him this morning and he seems a different person than he was three or four weeks ago.
"All footballers want to play, and he’s not different. We’ve got three strikers, and they’ve all got a part to play."
Andy Carroll, with seven goals, is a doubt for the weekend's trip to Bristol City with a groin injury, while Shane Long is to miss the rest of the season.
Yakou Meite, who has spent a large part of the campaign injured, could return at Ashton Gate- looking to add to his three goals this season.
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