No quick return for Reid
29 Sep 2006 - 12:19:14
Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven Reid looks set to spend at least another two weeks on the sidelines with a back injury.
The 25-year-old has not played for Rovers since the end of August and has already been ruled out of Sunday's Premiership clash against Wigan Athletic and the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Cyprus and the Czech Republic.
"Steven is improving, but his recovery is not going as fast as we'd like, so he certainly won't be involved against Wigan this Sunday," said Blackburn boss Mark Hughes.
"He also won't be involved with Ireland. He hasn't kicked a ball or been out with the group for about two weeks, so there's no point his going because he wouldn't be in a fit state to play.
"It's better for him, us and Ireland if he stays behind and has intensive treatment morning and afternoon, and let's see if we can get him back quickly.
"Hopefully then he'll be available for selection after this break coming up. But it's difficult with back injuries. It's fairly difficult to nail down what the actual problem is, and he's still feeling discomfort.
"He had injections in his back a couple of days ago, and we're hoping it'll calm things down. Over the next few days we'll see if it's had an effect."