Reid on track for Irish return

THE Republic of Ireland’s hopes of reaching next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa have been boosted by the news Steven Reid is on course to be fit for the start of the season.

Reid missed almost all of last season, making just four appearances for Blackburn, before a knee problem brought his season to a premature end last October.

However Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce says Reid and fellow long-term injury victims Brett Emerton and David Dunn’s recovery is on course and all three should be fit for the start of the season as long as there are no further complications.