GUNNAR Thorvaldsson is desperate to reclaim his lost injury years and make his mark in Royals' history.

The 27-year-old could be catapulted straight into Reading's squad at Nottingham Forest this Saturday (3pm ko).

And he hopes his arrival on loan until the end of the season is the start of a new chapter in his career.

Not only does he want to earn a permanent switch to England in the summer, but the Iceland international wants to show why some of the top clubs in Europe were clamouring to sign him after he won Sweden's Golden Boot with Halmstads in 2005.

Even ex-Reading boss Steve Coppell was on the case after a tip off from current caretaker manager Brian McDermott when he was chief scout.

But, with the world seemingly at his fingertips, Thorvaldsson broke his leg and it proved a painful setback.

"I was close to signing for Reading and also some other clubs," he recalled. "Unfortunately I broke my leg so many offers were cancelled. But that's life.

"Since then it's been downhill for me actually. I did very well for Halmstads in Sweden. I scored when we beat Sporting Lisbon in the Uefa Cup and everything was great.

"There were many teams in England and all over Europe trying to sign me, then I broke my leg."

He opted to join German Bundesliga outfit Hannover 96 in March 2006, but again struggled with injuries.

"Hannover were desperate to sign me so I signed because my contract was up in a few months," he said.

"But Germany wasn't what I thought it would be. I was injured a couple of times and I never got the chance to get 100 per cent fit. It's why I wanted to go back home to Scandinavia. I knew the mentality there so I went to the Danish team Esbjerg. We had a fantastic trainer but unluckily he got sacked.

"A new trainer came in and wanted this player or that player so I wasn't playing much.

"I thought I was showing in games what I could do. I'm 27 now and I think I'm coming into my best years."

Thorvaldsson, who is captain Ivar Ingimarsson's cousin, and fellow new signing Andy Griffin were ineligible for Wednesday's sensational 2-1 FA Cup victory at Liverpool.

But Griffin is certain to start against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this Saturday, while Thordvalsson could force his way into the squad.

"I think I'm ready for Saturday," he declared. "I've been here three weeks now and training with the team because I want to be in form.

"Obviously I haven't been playing much the last couple of months but hopefully I will get the chance and hopefully I can bring something to the team.

"I'd love to be involved in the game. I think I can help the team pick up points and climb up the table.

"I have no idea what my chances are of starting but I think there's a lot of potential in the squad. I've trained with a lot of the guys and the standard is really good.

"The young players have a bright future ahead of them and the older ones like Ivar Ingimarsson and Brynjar Gunnarsson are also important."

And Thorvaldsson, who has five goals in 21 games for Iceland, already feels at home in the Royals' dressing room.

"Ivar is my cousin and I also know Bryn from the national team," he explained. "I didn't know Gylfi but he's a good lad.

"I'd be very happy if I could get a new contract here. I'll do my best and see how it goes.

"I haven't set myself a goal target. I've never done it because I'm more of a team player. If I see a team-mate has a better chance of scoring than me I pass it to him.

"I will just try and do my best for the team which is more important than my goals."