Reid's heading for the top

A non-playing call-up for the World Cup qualifier against Holland was to follow but not before Reid had got himself sent off in a 2-0 defeat at Burnley.

The 20-year-old, who should play against Barnsley at The Den tonight, said: ?It has been an up-and-down start to the season with Millwall but to be involved with the Ireland squad was unbelievable.

?I was a bit awestruck when I trained with them because the squad includes players such as Roy Keane and you do not want to make mistakes in front of them.

?Hopefully, I will get in a few more squads and can get used to it and relax a bit more. With the world-class players there are in the squad, it can only help me improve.?

Reid?s call-up surprised some people but the Surrey born player?s international pedigree was spotted at Under-16 level when he played a series of friendlies for England.

At that stage he was in the company of West Ham midfielder Joe Cole and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers. Injury disrupted his England career and further calls did not materialised after he was fit again. ?I always knew I qualified to play for Ireland through my mum?s dad and when they showed interest I did not hesitate. I was honoured to be asked,? he said.

The breakthrough came when friends at Millwall made the Irish management aware of his eligibility for the men in green.

He played three matches for the Under-21s before making the step up to the senior squad and added: ?I have two more years when I can play in that team and will probably play a few more games for them instead of the seniors.

?But Mick McCarthy has been very encouraging and shown a lot of faith in me and you never know what might happen. If I have a good season I could be involved with the seniors at the World Cup next summer, if they get through.?

Reid is hoping to be involved in Ireland?s World Cup qualifier against Cyprus next month, but before then he is concentrating on getting Millwall?s season back on track.

Mark McGhee?s team have won two and lost four in the League so far and need to find some consistency if they are to establish themselves in Division One.

Reid believes they have not properly adapted to playing at a higher level yet and will have to become more clinical in front of goal.

Neil Harris could return to action tonight after missing the start of the season following treatment for testicular cancer. The striker?s comeback will definitely help. Harris, 24, was Millwall?s leading scorer for the last two seasons and is likely to be on the bench after scoring for the reserves last week.

Reid said: ?It will be good to get Neil back so soon because a lot of people thought he could be out for anything up to a year.

?We had a brilliant start to the season but then lost a couple.

?We can realistically win our next two games, against Barnsley and Sheffield United, and we probably need the six points to get our confidence back.?