A DEFIANT Steven Reid is determined to let his feet do the talking as he bids to show the mounting doubters he is far from finished.

The Irish midfielder was concerned after comments from his national boss Giovanni Trappatoni suggested he is fighting a losing battle as he continues his comeback from a knee injury, but he knows action will speak louder than words.

The 28-year-old midfielder believes it was just a case of crossed wires and now, after putting the record straight, is determined to silence any remaining cynics by playing his part for club and country over the coming months.

Reid, who hasn’t featured in the Premier League since early last season, insists his knee problems are now behind him with only ‘natural niggles’ currently holding him back.

He said: “I am only 28 now so hopefully still have a good few years left playing for club and country.

"Whether or not I will be ready for the play-off games if I am not playing for Blackburn is another matter.

“I am feeling good now, am training again and hopefully in the next couple of weeks I could be involved again.

“The bottom line is I need to get out on the pitch and start performing and showing people that I have lots left to give. If I do that it won’t be a problem.

“I wanted to let people now that what was said was not quite right.

"People will read that and believe that and that is not the case.

"Hopefully I have a good few years left. I have half an eye on that Peterborough Carling Cup game, although obviously it is up to the manager.”

After an Achilles injury forced him to withdraw from the Republic’s last World Cup double header, Trappatoni stunned most people by stating Reid would struggle to return to top flight football.

He said: “Very seldom does cartilage heal normally. We hope he comes back but, in my opinion, that is very very difficult.”

The Irish camp has since back tracked, with assistant boss Liam Brady claiming the quotes were taken out of context and Reid insists the matter is now in the past.

“I think it was just crossed wires,” said Reid.

“The manager has made it clear I have a big part to play for Ireland.

"I have enjoyed the three games I played for him, found that was my best form in the centre of midfield.

“I was surprised by the comments. Obviously I am not about to say anything bad towards him or anything like that. I enjoy playing for him and enjoy playing for Ireland.

“It is just the comments were surprising. There were a couple of issues in it that were not correct about the knee, regarding cartilage and that sort of thing.

“The rehab has gone well and just followed Mr Steadman’s rehab programme to the letter and look forward to playing really soon.

I have missed the last couple of games for Ireland because of a hamstring injury and a bit of tendonitis in the Achilles.

"It was nothing to do with the procedure I had done in America and nothing to do with the knee.”

Reid, now back in full training, has an eye on winning an Irish recall for their vital World Cup qualifying play-off against France next week.

But knows the first task is winning his place back into Sam Allardyce’s Rovers squad over the next few weeks as he looks to make up for lost time.

“I may be involved in the Ireland squad,” he said.

“Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will get a run out for Blackburn and if I do that there is every chance I could be in the squad.

“I have not played 90 minutes for a little while now and whether he will risk me in such a big game is another thing.

“The little niggles are probably more frustrating than when I head the initial operation.

"I knew exactly how long it would be, these little niggles are frustrating just when I was getting back to reserve and Carling Cup matches.