Reading striker Sam Baldock admitted he has waited for his chance to come back into the mix after his crucial leveller got Reading a deserved point in their 2-2 draw against QPR on Tuesday evening.

Baldock tapped home from close-range for his first goal since December 2018 and he looked lively throughout the game following an excellent cameo appearance against Preston on Saturday.

Although in the wilderness for much of the campaign, Baldock explained he had continued to work as hard as ever and hoped for a new lease of life under Mark Bowen.

He said: "I have bided my time and I think I have conducted myself in a professional around the place and knuckled down and waited.

"Football is an ever-changing game and when the opportunity came, I made sure I was there to take it.

"I am a footballer who wants to play games and I felt that I had unfinished business here."

Baldock also admitted there were differences in the style of Bowen and previous manager Jose Gomes, with a lot more focus going on the opposition.

He said: "Training's intensity has gone up, whether you get that due to a knee-jerk reaction, I am not sure.

"The video analysis on the opposition is probably a bit more in-depth and we play a different way and are not afraid to mix it up a little bit."

The former Brighton man also commented he was licking his lips to be playing up front with quality players like Ovie Ejaria and John Swift supplying the chances for him.

He stated: "At this level, there aren't many better at creating space and creating passes and I am looking forward to getting on a wavelength with them and everything really clicking."

The next game for Reading is against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (3pm) and Baldock is expecting another tough test.

He added: "They are a quality outfit and they have started the season really well and we can focus on that now and get to realise what they are all about.