Reading boss Steve Clarke has hailed the impact of Yakubu after the striker came off the bench to score the winner during Saturday's FA Cup victory over Derby County.
The January signing made the difference at Pride Park as the Royals reached the quarter-finals thanks to a late 2-1 triumph.
The game looked to be heading for a replay before substitute Yakubu found the net with eight minutes left to put the visitors through.
"That's why I brought him back," Clarke is quoted as saying by getreading.co.uk. "The lad is a natural goalscorer. When you see him going through one on one you expect him to hit the target and score.
"That's why we brought him here. We felt he could give us something a bit different. It was a great finish. To bring on someone like him seems to give the team a bit of a lift. They recognise his experience. They recognise he has goals in him and they have confidence in him."
Reading are back in action on Tuesday night when they host Wigan Athletic in the Championship.
