Andy Reid out of Ireland friendly

Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid will undergo a hernia operation in the coming days and has been ruled out of next week's friendly against Serbia in Dublin as a consequence.

Reid’s club Nottingham Forest expect him to miss up to three weeks with the problem, denying him the opportunity to win his 30th international cap at the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday night.

Reid was not available for Forest’s 3-1 defeat at Burnley last weekend with initial reports suggesting he was sidelined with a calf injury. However, it has since emerged that he will need surgery on a hernia problem that will keep him out until the middle of March.

Reid won his 28th cap against Kazakhstan last October, in Ireland's final World Cup qualifier, having been recalled by caretaker Noel King manager following a five-year exile.

He was retained by Martin O’Neill for his first game in charge, the 3-0 friendly win over Latvia in November, and was again named in the Derryman’s squad for next week’s match in Dublin.