Reid To Rest

The Republic of Ireland international had an operation to remove some scar tissue from his problematic hamstring three weeks ago and he will be rested from action to ensure his rehabilitation is successful.

‘It’s a big blow but not a damaging blow,” Pardew told the official website on Thursday.

‘He’s only played in one game for me and we’ve managed to turn results around. But he is a great player and we look forward to seeing him next year.”

Reid last started a Premiership match on January 13th, against Middlesbrough at The Valley.

It was the midfielder’s comeback game from a hamstring injury sustained against Liverpool in December that ended a 12-game run in the Premiership.

And although Reid lasted 90 minutes against Boro the problem recurred and that outing has proved to be his final appearance of the 2006/07 campaign.

The manager added: ‘It’s in an area, the hamstring, that you just cannot afford to take a chance on.

‘I’ve decided, and more importantly the medical staff have decided, that it would be better to withdraw him from action.

‘He needs to let it repair between now and the start of next season, so he’s really going to be resting rather than chasing to be back in time for the last two games of the season.”

The playmaker has scored three goals from 16 appearances since his £3m transfer from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Reidy will now have to watch his team mates battle to stay in The Premiership from the stands.