“I thought you had a hamstring!” – Super Eagles target’s magic stuns Man United legend

The Nigeria Football Federation target faces a spell on the treatment table after helping the Royals claim their first three points of the season at the weekend

Reading FC manager Paul Ince has confessed that he was left astonished by the brilliance of Anglo-Nigerian midfielder Ovie Ejaria during the Royals’ matchday two meeting with Cardiff on Saturday.

Ovie Ejaria supplied the assist to the winning goal as Reading edged to a 2-1 victory over their Welsh opponents.

The former England youth international, however, provided several moments of magic during the encounter to leave fans panting for more.

Just minutes before he set up Tom Ince for the winning goal, Ejaria produced a sublime piece of skill in front of the Reading dugout.

With his back to goal, the playmaker pulled out a sumptuous spin to get away from two Cardiff players – leaving them for dead – and get Royals on the attack.

Ejaria’s brilliant skill drew a huge cheer from the fans inside the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

What has Paul Ince said?

But Paul Ince substituted Ejaria in the 66th minute and revealed that he would have replaced the Super Eagles prospect much earlier because of a knock.

“It’s funny because before the goal happened, Ejaria said he had a tweak in his hamstring so I said I’d take him off because I didn’t want to risk another player getting injured,” the Manchester United great told the media afterwards.

“Next minute he’s doing a little turn and bumps one over to Tom and it’s 2-1. I said, ‘I thought you had a hamstring?’ He said ‘it’s a bit better now.’

“But then he said two minutes later ‘it’s bad again’ so I had to take him off.”

Reading fans will hope to see more of Ejaria’s excellent technique regularly this season.

The 24-year-old may, however, not be fit enough for the Royals’ next match – a clash at home to Stevenage in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 8 pm.

Paul Ince’s men will return to league action next Saturday away at Rotherham United.