Mixed news for O’Neill after updates on Gibson and Reid

There is long-term good news and short-term bad news for Martin O’Neill ahead of Ireland’s friendly against Serbia at the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday.

Everton are increasingly hopeful that Darron Gibson will be back in action just before their season ends but Nottingham Forest are now predicting Andy Reid will be out for longer than was initially anticipated.

Meanwhile, QPR have indicated that Richard Dunne will travel to Dublin for the Serbia game, despite earlier suggestions by the Ireland manager that he might be allowed to stay with the Championship club.