Reading boss Paul Ince has praised Newcastle United loanee Jeff Hendrick after his 60th equaliser earned the Royals a 1-1 draw against Norwich City on Tuesday. Hendrick scored his first goal in over a year with an unerring half volley beyond Tim Krul on the hour-mark.
Norwich had taken the lead just 10 minutes before when Grant Hanley ghosted in at the back post to fire past Reading goalkeeper Joe Lumley. Norwich missed out on the chance to leapfrog Sheffield United at the Championship summit, while Reading reduced the gap behind the automatic promotion places to just two points.
"We showed bounce back ability, never gave in and thoroughly deserved to get the equaliser from Hendrick, who I thought was outstanding," Ince told Berkshire Live.
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"The lads were disappointed they didn't win the game so that shows how far we've come. We're playing one of the top teams and [we're] disappointed that we haven't come away with three points so that's a good mentality to have."
Hendrick joined Reading from Newcastle on a season-long loan in July after starting just once for the Magpies last term. His loan spell at Queens Park Rangers during the second half of the 2021/22 campaign was marred by injury but Hendrick has become a key figure at the Madejski Stadium.
He has played in each of Reading's opening 13 games in the Championship, as the Royals have collected 22 points from a possible 36, to propel themselves into early contention for promotion.
The Republic of Ireland international wasn't the only former Newcastle player on show in Berkshire. Andy Carroll, who joined Reading for the second time last month, saw his header expertly thwarted by ex-Magpies goalkeeper Krul in the first half.
Carroll has featured three times for the Royals this term and has started their last two games. He has found the net just five times in 26 games for Reading and West Brom combined since leaving St James' Park for the second time in 2021.
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