Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick believes his season-long loan to Reading is 'ideal' ahead of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

Arriving on loan from Newcastle United, 30-year-old Hendrick spent the second half of last season on loan at fellow 'hooped' club Queens Park Rangers- helping them finish seventh in the second tier.

However the former Derby County favourite feels a long spell away could benefit both club and player.

Speaking to the club after signing, he said: "Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed my time at QPR, but it was short, it happened very suddenly, and I had a little niggly injury as well. I didn’t get to play as much as I would’ve liked.

Reading Chronicle:

"A season-long loan is more ideal as it gives me the opportunity to get to know the lads more and be around them for a full season."

Not taking long to settle in, the box-to-box midfielder netted just hours after signing on the dotted line, scoring the opener in a 4-0 win over Maidenhead United.

The opening match of the Championship season, on the Fylde coast at Blackpool, is just three weeks away and Hendrick is determined to be ready.

READ MORE: Newcastle United midfielder Jeff Hendrick joins Reading FC

"I’ve done three good days with Newcastle," he started. "Hopefully I can get going and see where I’m at. If I have to work hard I will and make sure I’m ready for the start of the season.

"You can do all the running you want but nothing compares to getting out and playing competitive games. People say they’re friendlies, but everyone wants to win, they’re playing for positions, so it’ll be good to get going."