Reading boss Paul Clement believes Nigerian forward Sone Aluko can still regain top form for the club despite his recent underwhelming performances.
Aluko, 29, has struggled to find his feet at the Madejski Stadium since he arrived from Fulham in August 2017.
He has garnered 47 league appearances for the Royals with just three goals.
Aluko was dropped to the bench in Reading’s 4-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion in their last English Championship outing, with Clement admitting that the former Rangers and Hull City forward is struggling.
“Sone is a really good player but he is struggling for consistency in performance,” Clement was quoted as saying by Football London.
“That’s since I have been at the club. I know he has a lot of ability – and I know that from his time at Hull and Fulham – he was a really good player.
“So it’s there in him and I have to help get that out of him. There are lots of different ways and hopefully, sooner rather than later, I can help Sone find some consistency in performance.
“We’re working hard on it with Sone and based on the fact that in the past he’s shown he can be a really good player, there’s no reason why that can’t come back.
“It might not happen just like that, but he has been around the game long enough and I don’t see him bereft of confidence.
“He is still coming in to training, working hard and sometimes you just have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it – less talking and keep working at your game. There is no problem with his attitude.”
Aluko who has made eight league appearances, including seven starts this season will aim to return to the starting lineup in Saturday’s Championship outing against Millwall.
Reading are level on points with bottom-placed Preston North End and Ipswich Town after two wins from 12 matches so far.