Reid ruled out of World Cup qualifiers

BLACKBURN ROVERS midfielder Steven Reid will be out of football for at least 10 weeks, ruling him out of Ireland’s opening World Cup qualifying games against Cyprus, Switzeland and France in September and October.

While his Ewood Park team-mates were romping to a 4-0 victory over Bray Wanderers on Saturday, Reid was having an operation on a foot injury back in Manchester.

“Since joining us from Millwall, Steven has had a succession of injuries. We feel for the lad and very aware of his great potential. We will nurse him through these injury problems,” said Blackburn boss Graeme Souness.

However, former Monaghan United man Jonathon Douglas, capped against Poland and Jamaica earlier this year, looks to have a big future at Blackburn after an impressive midfield performance against Bray.

Goals from Barry Ferguson and Jonathan Stead gave Rovers a 2-0 half-time lead. Nils-Eric Johansson and Lorenzo Amoruso completed the rout.