Reid in line for recall for Brazil game

TICKETS FOR the friendly international game between Brazil and the Republic of Ireland at the Emirates (kick-off 8.05pm) in north London will go on general sale on Monday, February 1st, through the host club’s official website, arsenal.com.

Getting into the game will cost supporters between £37 (€42.40) and £77 (€88.25) plus booking fees. This means the tickets at the lower end of the scale are fractionally less expensive than for recent games in Dublin while those at the upper end are dearer, a blow to travelling supporters who usually benefit from significantly cheaper prices at overseas venues.

With the clubs members and season ticket holders at Arsenal having first call on seats, the precise number that will go on sale to the general public will not be known until shortly before the wider sale begins, but the game would be expected to sell well given the attraction that the South Americans have previously proven to be when playing at the stadium.

Potentially in line for a recall for the game when Giovanni Trapattoni names his squad next month is Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven Reid who has confirmed he came through Blackburn’s win over Fulham at the weekend without any problems and that he now hopes to play a major part in the remainder of the club’s season, starting this evening with the League Cup, semi-final second leg tie against Aston Villa.

“Obviously it’s up to the manager to decide who he picks but I’ll certainly be doing everything to be fit for the game,” said the 28-year-old in an interview with the Rovers website. “I was glad to get the 70 minutes (at the weekend) under my belt and the manager has talked to us about what a massive month this is. If things go well for us in the next couple of games we could be at Wembley and then, if we can beat Wigan, up there in mid-table in the league.

“Villa will be tough, they’re a good counter-attacking side so we need to keep it tight and keep players like (James) Milner quiet but we’ve shown we can score up there and there’s no reason why we can’t again this time.”

Sunday’s was Reid’s first start in the Premier League since September 2008 and even a spell out on loan at QPR ended prematurely when he picked a fresh injury in his second game. “The second game for QPR, I’ve had a shot and the next thing I’ve got a tear in my hamstring. You’re thinking, well in the worst moments, you’re thinking, I just can’t do it anymore.

“I’ve had a serious knee injury and you get back and then you get put back two or three weeks and then it’s another two or three, so you can’t get that fitness you need going. I’ve been patient and I’ve put an extra special effort in over the last six weeks or so and I’m delighted to be back playing. Obviously, though, it’s an ongoing thing and what I want now is to stay fit until the end of the season.”