Exclusive – Reading super-sub Adam le Fondre laughs off Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comparisons

Reading star Adam le Fondre has told talkSPORT he wants to be a regular starter - and has laughed off comparisons with Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer.

The Manchester United striker made his name as a super-sub at Old Trafford and once netted four goals after coming off the bench in a fixture against Nottingham Forest in 1999.

Le Fondre won the Premier League’s player of the month award after scoring five goals for the Royals in January without starting a game, earning the Berkshire club a point against Chelsea and victories over West Brom and Newcastle.

But, speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the 26-year-old claims he wants to make his name as a starter for Reading, although he’s willing to continue his cameo performances for the moment, while the club’s good form continues.

“I want to start games," Le Fondre said. “I know Solskjaer played a lot of games as well but he made his name as a substitute and I don’t really want to do that. I want to be a starter.

“After the Chelsea game we had a chat and the gaffer knows I want to start games.

“I’m not different to any footballer. We’ve got a shape at the minute that facilitates playing one up front and big Pavel [Pogrebnyak] is doing a great job for us. Me coming off the bench after 65-70minutes is working for us at the moment.

“It’s not my favourite job but if we’re winning there is no point in us changing it. I assume [I’ll be a substitute against Stoke]. I’ll just have to wait and see but I’m bracing myself for the bench.”