Reid a doubt for Samba visit

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.

Already, Givens has drafted in Alex Bruce in place of Andy O’Brien, confirmation of whose retirement was still awaited by the caretaker manager yesterday.

“Steven Reid stepped out because he’s got a bit of a knee problem that we will have to assess,” said Givens. “It’s a bit more serious than we thought. We will assess it and call up someone else if he is out.”