JON Dadi Bodvarsson admitted Liam Kelly's future could be away from Reading FC, stressing the young midfielder is bound for the top level of the game.

The 21-year-old starred in Royals' 3-3 draw against Derby County on Saturday and scored a 30-yard 'worldie' against the Rams.

Kelly picked up the ball following a poor headed clearance and lashed a curling shot beyond the helpless Scott Carson.

It was his fifth goal of the season and saw him scoop Royals' man-of-the-match award as well as the Championship goal of the weekend gong.

And striker Bodvarsson, who bagged a late equaliser against Gary Rowett's men, insisted Kelly will make his way to the top of the game.

"It was a wonderful goal," said Bodvarsson.

"We've seen him do it before on the training ground.

"He deserves it, he works very hard every single day. He's a great, young talent.

"I think if he keeps doing what he's doing then he will reach the top."

Kelly played a more attacking role against the Rams than in earlier fixtures, with Leandro Bacuna sitting in front of Royals' back four.

He enjoyed several standout moments, including a lung-busting run down the wing which saw him skip past three Derby players.

The midfielder has recently been in and out of Jaap Stam's first-team fold, and Bodvarsson suggested the rest helped Kelly recapture his scintillating best.

He continued: "Especially as a young talent, like he is, it's important to have those set-backs at times.

"It helps you grow as a player and I think he's responded to that. He's shown it in training and now he's getting rewards on the pitch.

"We know the qualities he has, he's very sharp on the ball and he can pass the ball forwards. That's what you love as a centre-forward and as a winger."

Bracknell News:

Liam Kelly is mobbed after his sensational strike against Derby.

Despite standing at just 5ft 6ins, towering Icelandic international Bodvarsson stressed Kelly will not be bullied by defenders because of his size.

He concluded: "Liam is a good example of a player who doesn't have all of the physical attributes.

"He's not big and muscular like a lot of the players in the Championship but you can see a lot of the best players in the world are really small, like (Lionel) Messi for example.

"He just needs to keep working hard and he'll go further."

Kelly penned a new deal at Madejski Stadium last July, keeping him in Berkshire until 2020.

And Stam believes the diminutive midfielder is nearly back to his very best.

"He's getting back to the level he was at last season when he deserved his new contract," said Royals' boss.

"He's one of our own, he's from our Academy and has great skill and ability.

"He did very well last season and reached a certain level with his quality of passing and goals.

"This is the second season and opposition teams get to know what players can do.

"Like with Mo, you need to find a way to change your game to be influential again and make a diference. It's not always easy.

"We also need to be cautious with young players in terms of when to play them and rest them.

"But it's ultimately down to the players themselves and whether they have the character and mentality to step up again, and Liam is now back to the level he was."

Reading return to Championship action tomorrow night when they host Sheffield United (8pm ko) as they look for only their second win in 14 Championship matches.

The Blades lost 1-0 at Hull City on Friday night, leaving them eighth in the table and two points off the play-offs.

Royals were beaten 2-1 at Bramall Lane in October, Roy Beerens netting a late consolation after Paul Coutts and Billy Sharp had given United a 2-0 lead.