DOMINIC Samuel says his time has come as he looks to build on an impressive full league debut and pip Garath McCleary as Reading FC’s top goalscorer.

It took the 22-year-old just 22 minutes to shake off a few pre-match nerves, arriving at the back post to steer home a Roy Beerens cross-shot and fire Reading into the lead in the 3-0 win against Burton.

And while McCleary leads the scoring charts with six goals, Samuel insists that he will be working hard to stay in Jaap Stam’s first team plans and continue to find the net.

The striker, one of several players to come off of the Eamonn Dolan production line this season, was given the nod on Saturday following an injury to Yann Kermorgant.

Yet fans had been calling for Samuel to be named in manager Jaap Stam’s starting line up for several weeks, and he did not take long to answer their calls.

“I found out on Wednesday that I was starting when we were working on the team shape,” revealed Samuel.

“I knew I just had to relax, chill out and take onboard what the manager said ahead of the game.

“It feels great to start in a game like this and especially after waiting my time, my time has now come and I’ve scored.

“There were a few nerves but I believe in my ability and I just took it into the game.

“Overall I’m happy with myself and with the team as well.”

Samuel found goal-scoring success with loan spells to both Coventry City and Gillingham in recent seasons, but the forward said he is determined to keep on scoring for the Royals this season, if given the chance.

“I might be putting pressure on myself but fans can expect goals, I just want to make runs in behind and make things happen in and around the box,” he declared.

“I’m trying to chase G-Mac but I just want to get game time, if I do get game time I want to get more goals and keep impressing the manager.”

With Kermorgant out for at least two weeks, Samuel looks set for a run in the first-team squad and is certain to start against Bristol City at Madejski Stadium this Saturday (3pm ko).

But he knows that the manager has plenty of options and his place in the first-team will not be guaranteed.

“It’s just another option for the manager,” he declared.

“If he wants players that can get behind the defence then he knows he has me and G (McCleary), but if he wants someone to hold up the ball and bring other players into the game then he has Yann Kermorgant. There are good options in the team.”

Stam was quick to praise Samuel’s goal-scoring performance after the 3-0 win at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, but said he has plenty of striking options in the squad.

Joseph Mendes returned from injury in the same game, while Yakou Meite came on from the bench and was instrumental in the third goal, which he was unfortunate not to be able to claim himself.

“Dominic is a threat for everybody and he helps us going forward,” said Stam.

“We have Joseph and Yakou and I am always looking at the opposition and deciding which player needs to play.”