LIAM Rosenior says that he feels a Premier League player - and that he is now with a club where he can prove it.

Elvin King

LIAM Rosenior says that he feels a Premier League player - and that he is now with a club where he can prove it.

The 25-year-old right-back signed for Ipswich Town on a season-long loan from Reading last week, and cannot wait to get into action at Middlesbrough in the Coca-Cola Championship tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

He already feels at home after being a long-term Blues admirer.

“I used to watch Ipswich on television during their European days,” said the defender who was made available as Reading manager Brendan Rodgers looks to decrease his wage bill.

“And in my first match at Portman Road with Bristol City in the FA Youth Cup we were taught a footballing lesson by the likes of Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose.

“We lost 5-0 and that game has always stuck in my memory.”

Rosenior is the son of former professional Leroy, and he was a Premier League regular for Fulham and talked about as a potential senior England player after gaining a succession of Under-21 caps.

His move to Reading did not turn out exactly as he planned, He said: “I joined them expecting to play every week in the Premier League but it took me eight months to get in the team and then they were relegated.

“The captain was a right-back, which did not help and it was frustrating as I feel I am a Premier League player.

“I have not taken it personally that they have allowed me to leave so the manager can bring in his own young players.”

Rosenior appreciates his current lot, as the man who will be moving to Ipswich with his wife and two daughters - plus another child on the way - explained: “When I was on Torquay's books we trained at Newton Abbot racecourse and when that was waterlogged we used a local beach.

“They were tough days compared to where I am now, but the experience benefited me mentally and having played regularly in the Championship last season I will show the benefits of that this season.

“Everybody in football knows the project that owner Marcus Evans and manager Roy Keane are undertaking at Ipswich, and it is a privilege to be at a club with Ipswich's traditions and with another legend in a long list of wonderful managers.”

Rosenior is Keane's tenth signing since he took over as Ipswich manager in April, the Town boss having spent over �6m on the likes of Grant Leadbitter, Carlos Edwards, Lee Martin and Damien Delaney.

A free agent at the end of his Town loan period, Rosenior says his immediate intention is to do his best on the field.

But he added: “This is a great area to bring up children and hopefully I'll still be here with Ipswich if we can get up.”