| 2002 World Cup starlet Steven Reid has been ruled out of the Republic's August friendly against Bulgaria and the start of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers after breaking a metatarsal bone in a weekend friendly. |
| The Blackburn midfielder picked up the injury in a Saturday friendly against Preston North End and has effectively been scrapped from Brian Kerr's plans until late October-early November. “I had been felling so fit and strong after a good pre-season,” said 23-year-old Reid. “I had my fingers crossed it was just a bang, nothing too serious and I could even play against tomorrow night, but, unfortunately, that’s not the case. “I had been hoping to get myself into the side this season and establish myself, but it’s going to be a while before I am back. “I thought the new season would be a fresh start for me and now this has happened. I have to believe I can come back stronger.” After bursting onto the international scene in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup, Reid was a late addition to the World Cup following the withdrawal of Mark Kennedy though, despite promising cameos in Japan, injuries have halted the winger’s progress since then. Included in Brian Kerr’s first starting XI for the clash with Scotland last year, injuries meant that Reid has only started twice for Ireland since then and was hoping to add to his 13 caps against France and Switzerland. |
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