I’ve turned the corner – Reid

REUBEN REID: no reaction from his outing for the reserves.

REUBEN Reid believes he overcame a massive hurdle on his way back to first-team reckoning after an hour-long appearance for the reserves.

The former West Brom forward suffered no ill effects from his 60-minute stint in the 3-2 win at high-flying Burnley in the Central League West Division.

It marked a turning point in his recovery from the thigh muscle injury he suffered against MK Dons four months ago.

Whether Saturday’s npower League One home clash with Tranmere comes too soon for the jet-heeled striker remains to be seen, but he is raring to go with a spring in his step.

Reid said: “I managed to come through the reserves fixture unscathed, which felt good.

“Most importantly I have not had a negative reaction from my body since then. It was good to be back playing and it lifts you when there is no setback afterwards.

“I am closer to where I want to be. It is down to the gaffer (Paul Dickov) as to whether I am back for the Tranmere game.”

Dickov is expected to shuffle the pack in response to the woeful 5-0 hammering at MK Dons last time out.

It is not just Reid’s recovery that will give the Scot food for thought when putting together his starting XI.

Target man Matt Smith struck twice in the reserves’ victory at Turf Moor and could represent a viable alternative to out-of-sorts striker Shefki Kuqi, should Dickov decide to rest the Finn.

David Mellor, Carl Winchester, Kirk Millar and Josh Parker also featured in a strong second-string line-up.

Mellor was credited with an assist for Smith’s second goal and, with regular first team left-back Paul Black sidelined with a hamstring injury, the former Manchester United apprentice could find himself back in the frame.

However, Dickov has shifted Kieran Lee to the left several times this term, so the best Mellor can probably hope for is a place on the substitutes’ bench.