
Newcastle United
Premier League • England
Newcastle sanction second Championship loan for Jeff Hendrick, as new takers explain admiration of Magpies misfit

Newcastle United have allowed Jeff Hendrick to depart the club on loan again, this time to join Championship outfit Reading.
Hendrick spent the last six months of the 2021-22 season on loan with Queens Park Rangers. He had only made four appearances for Newcastle during the first part of the campaign. Subsequently, he earned 11 appearances with QPR.
Upon his return to Tyneside at the end of that spell, Hendrick was then made to train with the under-23s, rather than being a part of the first-team programme for pre-season.
But he has quickly found a new club. Newcastle have confirmed that the midfielder will spend the whole of the 2022-23 season back in the Championship with Reading.
They will be the fifth different club he has represented in his career after Derby County, Burnley, Newcastle and QPR.
The experience he has built up in the Premier League and Championship, Reading claim, will make him a vital reinforcement ahead of his spell with them.
Reading’s Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen, told their club website: “Jeff is a vastly experienced midfielder who has spent the large part of his career playing Premier League and international football.
“Importantly, he also knows what it takes to compete in the Championship and I am delighted he has joined us for 2022-23.”
Although Hendrick failed to make the grade at Newcastle, Reading manager Paul Ince is a big fan of the Republic of Ireland international.
Paul Ince explains Jeff Hendrick importance
Indeed, he feels the 30-year-old has plenty of traits that could equip him for success at the Madejski Stadium.
Ince added: “Jeff is a midfielder I have admired for a long period of time.
“He has the ability and experience to play in a number of roles across the midfield. He works hard, he wins the ball back, he can pick a pass and he can score goals too.
“A player of his experience will prove so important for this club going into the challenge of the Championship this season.”
Reading finished 21st in the Championship last season, one place above the relegation zone. They have already made a few adjustments to their squad; the temporary addition of Hendrick is their latest step.
The last of his 27 appearances for parent club Newcastle came in December 2021. Since then, the Magpies have been building an exciting project for the future. But it seems Hendrick is one of the players who is going to be left behind.
His contract back at St James’ Park will have one year left to run on it by the time his season with Reading is over. For now, though, his full focus will be on what he can do for the Royals.
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