Jason Roberts cannot wait to get his Reading career underway, and is hoping to be involved when we take on Bristol City this Saturday, kick off 3pm.
It was put to him by the press, what would he say if Brian McDermott asked if he was fit and available for selection. His answer was an emphatic, "Absolutely yes!
"You always want to play and be involved and I'm no different, I'd like to play as soon as possible, get out there to show the Reading fans what I'm capable of and hopefully hit the back of the net a few times.
"But of course it's up to the manager."
Roberts is delighted to have moved to Reading on an 18-month contract, and our new number 33 continued, "I think there aren't many more exciting places to be in English football right now.
"With the form of the team there's a real cause for optimism.
"Off the pitch everyone has seen the progression the club has made over the years and it's going to be really good to be part of it.
"It's a new chapter for me, the chance to come here and play with such a good team, a great manager, a good infrastructure and a club I know well in terms of playing against Reading a number of times. It's very, very exciting to me.
"I was speaking to the manager, I made my debut for Hayes against his Slough team many years ago - he says I scored two, I think I scored four, I'm not sure! We might have to look it up!
"I've known him a long time, he knew a lot about me, which really impressed me and at this stage of my career that's exactly what I need, somebody to believe in me, and I think we've got the right fit at Reading.
"The experience you gain in your career is invaluable and I think I have a lot of that. In this League I've had a couple of promotions, and I'm coming here to help the club progress where it wants to go.
"It's also the closest I've been to home in a while, so on and off the pitch it's exciting for me. I do a lot of charity work nearby in north west London - but first and foremost it's about football, helping the club progress to where it needs to go.
"There was a lot of interest, it was an important decision and it had to be right. I believe it's the right challenge, the right club at the right time."
A full video interview with Jason is live on Reading FC Player now.
