Reading coach full of praise for 'strongest kid in the world' after Boro brace

Reading Under-21 head coach Noel Hunt labelled goal scorer Adrian Akande 'the strongest kid in the world.'

The 20-year-old forward has previously spent time at Swansea City and West Ham before linking up with the Royals in 2022.

A regular for the youth sides over the last two seasons, the Nigeria Under-17s international has five goals and seven assists, including a crucial brace against Middlesbrough on Saturday to see the Royals into the quarter-final of the PL2 play-offs.

"He’s been great," fan favourite Hunt told the club media channel. "He’s an unbelievable character. He’s the strongest kid in the world, has his own set routines and he is his own man.

"I’m delighted for him because he’s out first, in last and spends hours out on the training ground. You’re trying to drag him off- him and a couple of others but he’s the main culprit. Every day he asks, and it’s come to fruition. He’s the hardest working kid, his numbers are through the roof and his availability is through the roof. It’s a pleasure to work with people like him."

Akande himself added: "I feel like I’ve executed this season well and consistently so individually it’s been good."