ANDY Carroll has expressed his desire to remain at Reading beyond the end of his contract.
The 33-year-old signed for the Royals in September on a short term deal which is due to end in mid-January.
However he is keen to see his stay in Berkshire extended.
“I would love to (stay), I think that’s what I would want to do,” said Carroll.
“I enjoyed it the first time, I’m enjoying it the second time and hopefully it’s a lot longer than what is in the contract at the minute.”
Carroll first signed last November under Veljko Paunovic and went on to score twice in eight appearances before joining West Bromwich Albion in January.
This term, the forward has played four times and got on the scoresheet in Friday night’s 2-1 defeat at QPR from the penalty spot.
The striker said match fitness was one of the reasons behind his late arrival at the club this year.
“I needed to get fit. I wasn’t ready to come in, I had family and there were different things going on at the time,” said Carroll.
“There was a chance of coming in so I just needed to get myself right before I did. I needed to get some sort of fitness and then I came in when I was ready.
“Last season I enjoyed it. Half the team is left and a new staff has come in but it’s still the main core. Everyone wants to pull in the same direction, win games and hopefully we can do that until the end of the season.”
Despite coming in late, Carroll featured in all three of the Royals games last week and is confident he can maintain his fitness.
“Three games in six days is tough on anyone, nevermind a 33-year-old,” he said.
“I got the 70 minutes, another 70 and then 90, so I feel good and hopefully it continues.
“If I keep my fitness up and do the right things with the fitness guys in the gym, the yoga in the afternoons and keep working behind the scenes as well then it’s only going to benefit me.”
