Reid rules out war of words with Trap as Sunderland star eyes Ireland return

19 January 2009 04:28
Come and get me: Despite being dropped from the national team in November, Andy Reid remains available for the Republic of Ireland next month, if selected   More... Andy Reid shows true pluck: Sunderland winger takes on the Banjo Grumpy Reid told to smile more as he is axed by Trapattoni SUNDERLAND FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB Trapattoni, who names his squad in Dublin on Monday morning, was at Preston v Burnley at lunchtime Saturday, before travelling with assistant Liam Brady to see Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United at Ewood Park. Reid was on the Sunderland bench for the return fixture with Villa at the Stadium of Light. The Dubliner is hoping his recent performances, which have been closely monitored by Trapattoni's scouts, will win him favour with the veteran Italian who has criticised the player for his downcast demeanour on international duty. The pair also had a spectacular bust-up in a German team hotel after the opening win over Georgia, who are Ireland's opponents at Croke Park next month.   More... Andy Reid shows true pluck: Sunderland winger takes on the Banjo Grumpy Reid told to smile more as he is axed by Trapattoni SUNDERLAND FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB Reid said: 'Of course I want to play for Ireland and of course I want to play in the World Cup Finals. It has been a dream of mine since watching the 1990 World Cup. 'To get there it needs to be a case of me getting my head down, performing well, staying in the Sunderland team and hopefully us getting some good results and enjoying the second half of the season and enjoy moving up the table. Decision time: Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has plenty to ponder ahead of his squad announcement 'The further we are up the Premier League table and the better I perform, perhaps the better chance I have of playing for Ireland.' Trapattoni's other major decision on Monday is whether to recall Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland who has refused to play for his country for the last two years. Ireland quit in controversial circumstances after a Euro 2008 qualifier in Slovakia, claiming his grandmother had died, and has ignored calls to return for the World Cup campaign after face-to-face meetings with Trapattoni, Brady and coach Marco Tardelli. Although members of Ireland's family believe he is prepared to return to the international fold, there has been no contact between the two parties since their meeting in May and the Cork-born midfielder must make the first move before he is named in the squad. Reid did admit he has struggled to 'get his heads round' his omission from the Poland squad, a month after he was selected for the home win over Cyprus. He has also had to deal with uncertainty on Wearside. Big influence: Andy Reid is relishing his new roaming role under current Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia The former Charlton captain, who is entering his second year at the Stadium of Light following last January's£4 million move, says he was stunned by Roy Keane's sudden departure at the end of last year. Reid has paid tribute to his former Ireland team-mate who was instrumental in securing his move north, but also complemented Sbragia on the impact he has made over the last month. Reid said: 'None of us saw it coming. You don't really think about things like that. You think about the next game, the next training session, not whether the manager is going to leave or not but at the same time you are aware in football that anything can happen and managers and players come and go all the time. 'The club will always be there and be the number one factor. It is bigger than any man, player or manager. The fans and players will still be here and when he left it was up to us to go and perform and show what we can do. I think we have done that and have reacted the right way as a team and as a club. 'The club has shown the right respect where it is deserved and if you look where we were when he took over, as opposed to where it was when he left, the change is phenomenal and the quality of players here now is superb. You feel the club has moved on. Moving on: Reid believes Sunderland have plenty of quality in depth to improve 'But Ricky has been fantastic. He has given us the licence to relax and express ourselves a bit more and he has been a calming influence. 'He has been very mature because it has been a difficult time since the manager left, as it is when any manager leaves a club. 'And I am definitely enjoying my football. I like getting on the ball, as people know, I like trying to play and make things and I am equally happy to do that from central or wide positions but it is nice to have a manager who allows me to roam and express myself.'   More... Andy Reid shows true pluck: Sunderland winger takes on the Banjo Grumpy Reid told to smile more as he is axed by Trapattoni SUNDERLAND FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB  

Source: Daily_Mail