DAVID Meyler is determined to impress Reading FC boss Paul Clement in order to cement his name in the manager’s first-team plans.

Royals’ new recruit stressed he is under no illusions that he will have to work hard to be a mainstay in Clement’s starting XI.

The 29-year-old spoke to the media for the first time since he agreed to move to Madejski Stadium from Hull City earlier this month.

Despite not officially becoming a Royal until July 1, fans could get a glimpse of Meyler against Eastleigh on Saturday.

Here’s what he had to say.

CF: Welcome to Reading FC, you must have been thrilled when this opportunity came up and I assume you grasped it with both hands?

DM: “The main reason I came was the manager. He laid out his desire to get this team promoted back to the Premier League.

I was blown away after a couple of conversations with him and I thought this was the best move for me at this stage of my career.”

CF: Some Reading FC fans might not have seen you play. If you were filling out a CV what would you say are your best qualities?

DM: “You should have asked the manager that one.

“I’m there to protect the back four and look after these young individuals who are all very talented. I bring a lot of experience in the Championship. I’ve played in it for three seasons and I’ve been promoted twice.

“I’m just there to win the ball, keep things ticking over and obviously chip in with a few goals too.”

CF: Is a top-six finish and/or promotion a realistic achievement for Reading?

DM: “Two seasons ago, I know there has been a bit of a turnover, but this team was a kick of the ball away from the Premier League.

“In this division there are small margins, it’s about consistency over 46 games. It’s very difficult.

“This team is capable of getting promoted. I’ve played in teams that are very similar. This team is probably better than the first team I played in at Hull and we came second and got promoted.

“Do I believe we can get promoted? Yes I do. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be here.”

CF: There are some familiar faces here, has that helped you settle in?

DM: "I know Paul McShane and Sone Aluko quite well. I played with the two of them for four seasons. I played with Paul a bit longer with Ireland.

“It’s good to see them. Paul is an experienced defender, he’s a veteran and he’s old school. It’s 100 per cent heart and passion.

“Sone is a gifted player. He has the ability and skill to beat a player one-on-one and that’s a rare skill.

“It’s getting more and more difficult because players are more physical and they’re getting fitter but Sone is a special talent.”

CF: There’s lots of competition for places in midfield. Is that something you relish as a player?

DM: “You have to strive on it. You can’t get comfortable.

“Even for me, I have just signed and the manager went through great depth to get me here, I’m under no illusion that I’m just going to walk into the team.

“I have to work hard. I have to be better than the other player in midfield.

“That’s no different to anyone else. If you want to succeed you have to work harder than everyone else.

“If we do that, we can take it into games because we’ll probably be working harder than other teams.

“Eighty per-cent of the time if you come up against a team and you have out-worked them then you end up winning the game.”