Until now the former Cork City player has failed to win a first team place with the Royals but after a magnificent performance in yesterday's 6-0 win over TSV Krumbach - prompting speculation that he will be in the side for the season's opener at Derby on August 10th.
Alan Pardew has completely changed the squad since his arrival in September 1999 - only club captain Phil Parkinson remains. Yet Pards has managed to well stack the centre of midfield - Joe Gamble's position - Kevin Watson, Phil Parkinson, James Harper and Andy Hughes are all ahead of him in the Madejski pecking order.
Pardew told Teamtalk.com: "Joe Gamble did very well. This will be a crucial couple of years for him, so he has got to get his head down and show what he can do if he is to break into the team, but if he plays like he did here he's got every chance."
Gamble himself later revealed that his experience with Ireland helped him put in such a strong performance against the German opposition.
He told Teamtalk: "I enjoyed the game. I have played foreign teams about 30 times in my career for Ireland and they are good matches to play in.
"I thought we did well as a team and I was happy with the way I played."