DERBY County cast-off Lee Hendrie is training with Reading with a view to earning a permanent deal at the Madejski Stadium.
The former Aston Villa midfielder, 33, is a free agent after being released from Pride Park and has also attracted interest from Aberdeen.
Reading manager Brian McDermott said: “Hendrie is training with us this week and next week.
“He is keen to come and will be a good signing for us, so we are hoping to give him an opportunity to play for us.” Hendrie started his career at Villa and scored 27 goals in 251 Premier League appearances.
He has also spent time on loan at Stoke City, Leicester City, Blackpool and Brighton, as well as longer spells at Sheffield United and Derby.
McDermott feels Hendrie can fill the goalscoring void left by Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has joined Hoffenheim.
“Hendrie’s best position is just off the striker. He scored a lot of goals in his younger days for Aston Villa there,” he said. “He’s a clever player with real ability — he is very fit and wants to be constantly involved in the game, and will improve us as a team.” YOUNG Rams midfielder Arnaud Mendy made his debut for Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night, only hours after joining the npower League One side on a month’s loan.
He came off the bench at half-time as Tranmere bowed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on penalties to League Two side Accrington Stanley.
