Reid set for Republic start

Millwall midfielder Steven Reid is poised to make his first competitive start for the Republic of Ireland in Saturday’s vital Euro 2004 qualifier against Albania in Dublin.

Reid played in the first half of today’s behind closed doors game between Brian Kerr’s senior Irish side and Don Given’s under-21 team at Dublin’s Tolka Rovers ground.

The Millwall man was one of the marksmen as the senior side won 3-1 with the other goals coming from Blackburn’s Damien Duff and Tottenham’s Robbie Keane. Celtic’s Liam Millar was the scorer for the under-21s.

“Considering Steven has been out of the game for so long with a knee injury, he performed very well and looked fit. The only question now is whether he can last the 90 minutes,” said Kerr.

Reid, the subject of a possible move to Blackburn, now looks certain to win his ninth cap.

Former Irish boss Mick McCarthy used the player twice as a substitute during last summer’s World Cup finals in Japan against both Cameroon and Germany.

Goalkeeper Shay Given has fully recovered from a calf strain but did not play in today’s match as a precautionary measure.

Striker Glen Crowe, who plays for Dublin side Bohemians, has been ruled out of the squad with a knee injury and also misses next Wednesday’s European Championship clash with Georgia, also in Dublin.

“It’s unfortunate for Glen who still has swelling on the knee. I have no plans to bring in any replacements at the moment,” said Kerr.

“We will review the situation after the Albanian game. If any call-ups are necessary, we can rely on players from the under-21 squad.”

Midfielder Matt Holland, poised to join newly-promoted Premiership side Portsmouth in a £750,000 deal from Ipswich, played in part of today’s game and looks certain to win his 32nd cap against the Albanians.

“I am always pleased when our international players are competing at the highest level,” said Kerr, in a reference to the man set to partner Aston Villa’s Mark Kinsella in the Irish midfield.