Midfielder hopes Verbeek feels the need for Reid

Playing 10 matches in 44 days isn’t enough for Adelaide United midfielder Paul Reid. He’d like to make it 11 - if Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will let him.

Reid, one of the bolters in Verbeek’s extended squad, believes he is fit enough to do a job for his country should the Dutchman give him a chance in his 18-man line-up to play Qatar at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Should Reid play, he will have to back up for Adelaide in an A-League match against Queensland on Friday night, make the long trip to Uzbekistan for the second leg Asian Champions League semi-final against Bunyodkor, before another A-League game four days later.

But rather than cry for a rest after a gruelling schedule in which United have already played seven matches since September 12, Reid is desperate for the chance to win his first cap for his country at the age of 29.

And with key midfielders Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano out, Reid could well find himself playing some sort of back-up role off the bench for the Socceroos against Qatar in the top-of-the-table Group A clash.

“The more games I play, the fitter and stronger I’m going to get. I want to play as many games as I possibly can,” Reid said.

“If I’m involved on Wednesday and get the opportunity to get on the pitch, I’m definitely in 100 per cent physical fitness.”

A former NSL champion with Wollongong, Reid spent several successful years at English Championship club Brighton and Hove Albion before being cleared out by the Seagulls at the end of last season.

He took up the opportunity to return home with Adelaide United and has looked assured, polished and creative in midfield - a key part of the Reds’ rise to the verge of the Asian Champions League final.

But Reid had never received a Socceroos call-up until now - his country blessed with midfield talent in the lead-up to the 2006 World Cup when he was playing arguably his best football for Brighton.

“Three months ago my aim was to get into the Australian squad as quickly as possible. Now I’ve done that I want to do that extra step.

“It was a shock for not only me to get into this squad, but I have played with a lot of these players through my younger years and they have made me feel really welcome.

“I’m certainly trying to get into the 18-man squad and show the new coach what I can do.”

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