Reading striker Noel Hunt looks forward to full fitness

Noel Hunt signed for Reading from Dundee United in 2008

Reading striker Noel Hunt is hoping his long-awaited return to match fitness will lead to a regular starting place.

The striker has been recovering from a knee injury suffered last October, but played 20 minutes in the Royals' 1-1 draw with Portsmouth last Saturday.

Hunt told BBC Berkshire:"Despite being my first competitive game in ten months, I feel great. There was no soreness in the knee.

"Hopefully now I can concentrate on getting my fitness and sharpness back."

Hunt, a Republic of Ireland international, knows he faces a tough fight against fellow strikers Simon Church, Shane Long and Grzegorz Rasiak to secure a starting spot, but is hoping manager Brian McDermott will give him time to gain match fitness.

"Fitness has to come with time, there's a game on Tuesday and hopefully I'll get 45 minutes. Then I'll have a good week's training and go from there," he said.

"I think it'll take two or three weeks to get back to match fitness."

Although Reading have failed to win either of their first two games in the new Championship season, Hunt said a draw was not a fair reflection of the match against Portsmouth.

"I thought we were a better team. They scored an early goal but they didn't trouble us after that.

"We stuck in there mentally and physically. We fought and challenged them and I thought we were unlucky to not get the three points."