Yakou Meite believes the international break has been positive for the team
The Reading forward says the break has provided a welcome chance for the team to regroup and reset - both mentally and physically - ahead of an important run of games at the end of the season.
"This week has been good for us – especially for me because I’ve had time to work. Hopefully I will be fit for this weekend, so it’s a good opportunity for us to regroup and work on things for the next few games.
"I think the break came at a good time for us after a period with a lot of games where we played every three days. Like I said, I think it's been a good time to regroup and to come back stronger."
With a number of Reading players away with their national teams over the international break, it's provided a good platform for players from the Under-21s to step up into training with the First Team.
Meite belives that the younger players have had a positive effect on training and praises their willingness to learn and improve whilst working alongside more experienced professionals.
"It’s been a good group this week with some of the young lads involved. They’re listening and they’re training hard every day - really trying to do their best to impress the coach. The training has been at a high level even without some of the senior players."
Yakou has history away to Bristol City - scoring the last of his 12 league goals in the 2018-19 season in a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate.
The Robins fought back to earn a point in that encounter - and the Ivory Coast international knows that they'll provide another stern test at the weekend.
"Bristol City will be tough. I know it’s always tough to play there and I’ve played there a few times. So we know to expect a tough game, but ultimately - we need points. So we're ready to fight for those points."