STEVEN REID has emerged as Ireland’s biggest injury worry ahead of tomorrow’s friendly with Brazil at Croke Park and, if his suspect knee fails to show significant improvement this morning, Don Givens will call up a replacement for the Blackburn Rovers midfielder.

Kaka will miss Brazil’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday after pulling out of the squad with a knee injury.

Werder Bremen defender Naldo ended a miserable day on a high note after being called into the Brazil squad for the international friendly against Ireland on Wednesday night.

Youngsters Lucas Leiva and Anderson have been named in a youthful Brazil squad to face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin next month.

Rafael Benitez surprisingly rang the changes to the side that dispatched Deportivo Saprissa for the Club World Championship final with Sao Paulo.