FORMER  IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Andy Reid is to take up a coaching role at Nottingham Forest, it has been confirmed.

The 33-year-old midfielder is also still a Forest player, but he has not played a match since September 2014 owing to a long-term groin injury, and is not expected to play again this season.

The move comes following manager Dougie Freedman’s sacking, with the club currently 14th in the Championship, having lost five of their last six matches.

Reid will consequently help caretaker boss Paul Williams with first-team coaching duties, with the duo’s first game away to third place Hull tonight.

“I got a call last night to ask if I’d help Paul out, which I’m more than happy to do. It’s a lovely honour to have been asked to do that,” Reid told Forest’s official website.

It was nice to be out on the training pitch today, albeit in a coaching role. It was a bit different but enjoyable to be back out there.”

The former Lourdes Celtic and Cherry Orchard youngster has long-term ambitions to be a coach, and is currently studying for his Uefa licence.

“I’m doing my coaching badges — I’m not far off completing my A Licence — so it’s definitely a road I want to go down, although it’s not something I was expecting to find myself in so quickly.

But football doesn’t always go how you expect it to. It’s about being able to adapt and all I want to do is help out in any capacity I can.

“I’m going to be coupling this with my rehab — I had my operation four weeks ago — and I’m still trying to get back, although I can’t put any dates on it at the moment.”

Reid scored four goals in 29 appearances for Ireland and is a Forest legend, having played over 200 games for the club.

The midfielder also had spells at Tottenham, Charlton, Sunderland and Blackpool over the course of his career.

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