FORMER Hereford United striker Mathieu Manset has scored against Cardiff City once this season – and told the Hereford Times he hopes to repeat his heroics tonight.

The powerful Frenchman now plays for Reading, who host the Bluebirds in a Championship play-off semi-final first-leg clash.

Manset, nicknamed The Beast by Hereford fans, was sold by the Edgar Street club in January after scoring 14 goals in 27 appearances last season for the Bulls.

He had been introduced to Hereford by club legend Guy Ipoua.

Manset is desperate to play in tonight’s clash with Cardiff.

“I am not nervous - I want to play because it’s a big game,” said Manset, who aims to gain full international honours with the Ivory Coast.

“It’s a big change in my life because I was playing at Hereford and we were fighting to stay in the League and now I might be about to gain promotion to the Premier League.”

Manset bagged his first goal for Reading against Cardiff.

He has also scored against Barnsley.

“I have started three games and come on in eight or nine games and scored two goals,” said Manset.

“For a while I did not start.”

Manset added: “I will be trying my best and hoping to take my team to Wembley.”

The second leg takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium next Tuesday.

The Championship play-off final is at Wembley Stadium on May 30.