Soccer: Reid call right on cue

Millwall midfielder Steven Reid - capped four times by England at Under-16 level - will make his international debut for the Republic of Ireland tomorrow.

The 20-year-old Londoner completes a dramatic rise up the football ladder against Croatia in the Lansdowne Road World Cup warm-up.

After promotion with Millwall last season, Reid - who qualifies for the Republic because his late father was born in Ballinasloe - scored a spectacular goal as the Lions thrashed Norwich City 4-0 on their return to the First Division on Saturday.

"This has all happened very quickly," he said.

"I was delighted to see my name there when manager Mick McCarthy chose his original squad.

"Then the panel was reduced to 24 and I couldn’t wait to get on the plane to Dublin for the squad sessions. I was thrilled.

"Now I have been told that I am playing right from the start against Croatia.

"It hasn’t sunk in yet and the first thing I did was to ring my mother back at home. She will definitely be travelling over for the game.

"Maybe I will be a little bit nervous at the start. But I want to play out of my skin and repay the faith put in me by the boss."

McCarthy never had any doubt about throwing Reid in at the deep end with so many of his key players missing because of injury - Stephen Carr, Jeff Kenna, Gary Breen, Niall Quinn and Matt Holland.

"Steven definitely has the ability and the physical strength," said McCarthy.

"He’s a versatile lad even though I know it’s a big step for him to move up to international level.

"But Steven wouldn’t be starting unless I thought he could do a job for me."

The Irish boss will also give debuts at some stage to Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and Manchester United’s reserve central defender John O'Shea.

"If these lads all play well, they will give me a nice problem before I name my squad for the qualifier against Holland next month,’’ said McCarthy.

In the absence of Sunderland striker Quinn, there is an exciting look about the attacking pair of Leeds United’s Robbie Keane and Blackburn’s mien Duff.

"Robbie has been on fire in pre-season games and his career can really kick-start once again after his ankle problems last year.

"Damien Duff is also deserving of his place after his end of season performances against Portugal and Estonia."

Aston Villa’s Steve Staunton will extend his Irish record to 90 caps when he plays alongside Manchester City’s Richard Dunne in the centre of defence.

Ironically, the 32-year-old Staunton will be in direct opposition to Bosko Balaban, Villa’s new £6m signing from Dinamo Zagreb.

Balaban will partner Middlesbrough’s fit again Alen Boksic in the Croatian attack, with the visitors having one eye very much on their crucial Group Six World Cup showdown against Scotland at Hampden Park on September 1.

"This game is an ideal preparation for our meeting with the Scots as the Republic of Ireland play a typical British-style game which will be something new for many of our younger players," said coach Mirko Jozic.