Reid ‘gutted’ by Ireland absence

ANDY REID’S father revealed yesterday that the Sunderland midfielder is “gutted” about his continued absence from Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland squad.

The Dubliner has not been called up for national duty since the opening World Cup Group 8 qualifying doubleheader against Georgia in Mainz and Montenegro in Podgorica. That was 14 months ago.

The 27-year-old has consistently expressed his desire to play for his country despite his lengthening period of exile but he has never kicked a ball for Ireland under the Italian manager and looks unlikely to do so in the near future.