The Nottingham Forest man, currently out with a calf injury, is now expected to use the enforced break to have minor surgery on a hernia problem, which means that he could be out for a total of three to four weeks.

The setback represents a big blow to Forest’s promotion hopes, since a resurgent Reid is the club’s top scorer.

But the 31-year-old’s absence will also come as a big disappointment to Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.

On the back of his scintillating form this season, there was never any doubt the playmaker would make O’Neill’s first squad after interim manager Noel King had brought him in from the cold last year following his long and controversial exile under Giovanni Trapattoni.

Optimistically, Forest are hoping that Reid might be fit for the game against Derby County at Pride Park on March 22 but Irish fans will have to wait until at least May to see the player back in action in a green shirt.

Meanwhile, RTÉ have announced they will air a new weekly programme from week month.

Soccer Republic replaces League of Ireland highlights show Monday Night Soccer (MNS) and will be broadcast for the first time on March 10.