Republic hit by Reid injury blow

Steven Reid has returned to Blackburn to get treatment

Republic of Ireland v Brazil
Date: Wednesday, 6 February
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
BBC Coverage: Live on the BBC Sport website

Steven Reid has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Brazil at Croke Park on Wednesday.

Reid has returned to Blackburn to get treatment on a knee injury so Stoke's Glenn Whelan has earned his first call-up to the Republic squad.

Fit-again Damien Duff returns to the Republic side while Liam Miller and Aiden McGeady are picked in midfield.

Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne and Kevin Kilbane will line out in the Republic defence.

Robbie Keane will be partnered by Kevin Doyle in the Irish attack.

Lee Carsley will anchor the Republic midfield while Shay Given starts in goal.

Duff sustained a serious foot injury while playing for his club shortly after his last appearance for the Republic against Slovakia at Croke Park in March

The Republic of Ireland's options for Wednesday's game further were hit by Andy O'Brien's retirement from international football.

Caretaker boss Don Givens indicated that he would attempt to get O'Brien to change his mind but for the moment, the Bolton player remains out of contention.

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AC Milan stars Kaka and Pato have pulled out of the Brazil squad for the game because of injury.

Brazil coach Dunga has called up Werder Bremen's Diego and Besiktas striker Bobo as replacements.

Pato injured ankle ligaments in Milan's 1-0 win at Fiorentina on Sunday and coach Carl Ancelotti said the teenage star could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Kaka was substituted before the end of the match against the Viola although his injury is thought to be less serious.

Werder Bremen defender Naldo was also called up as a replacement for injured Bayern Munich centre-back Lucio.

The visit of Brazil to Dublin would normally lead to huge excitement in Irish football circles but the build-up to the game has been totally overshadowed by the continuing saga of the search for a successor to Steve Staunton.

Caretaker boss Givens is centrally involved in recruiting a new boss so the process has been on-hold this week given his on-the-pitch commitments.

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Republic of Ireland: Given, Kelly, O'Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, Carsley, Miller, Duff, Keane, Doyle.