Brady dismisses Reid claims

Reid: Out of favour

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  • Sunderland

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• Andy Reid
• Stephen Ireland

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Republic of Ireland coach Liam Brady insists reports claiming Andy Reid has been dropped from the international fold due to a poor attitude are wide of the mark.

Giovanni Trapattoni's assistant is keen to dispel any notion that the Sunderland midfielder has suffered a falling out with the national boss.

Speculation has been circulating for some time regarding the supposedly strained relationship which exists between Reid and Trapattoni.

The Italian coach recently admitted that the 26-year-old playmaker had expressed his sadness at being unable to force his way into the fold.

Those quotes were interpreted in some quarters as suggesting that Reid had been omitted because he was not happy, but Brady insists that is not the case.

He said: "He (Trapattoni) outlined that he doesn't want to change the system.

"I read the papers this morning about Andy having a poor attitude - that's not what Giovanni was saying.

"Andy has trained well, he has been good around the group, but I think the manager thought he is not going to be figuring, so until he does, it is best not to have him here, that's all."

Agenda

Meanwhile, Brady also revealed that the Ireland coaching staff remain determined to lure Stephen Ireland out of his self-imposed international exile.

The Manchester City star has so far rejected Trapattoni's attempts to bring him back into contention, but the issue has not been closed by either side.

Asked if he wished there could be a resolution, Brady said: "Absolutely - and I do agree with (City boss) Mark Hughes, he is Man City's best player this year.

"He is playing very, very well, and we know what he can do. But the situation is what it is.

"You should ask Stephen Ireland what is on his agenda. We have been to see the boy, we have asked him to come back.

"Do you want us to go over every week to ask him?"