Andy Reid takes first steps towards management with coaching role

Andy Reid has taken up a coaching role with Nottingham Forest.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder is currently sidelined with a groin injury, and hasn't played for the Championship side since September 2014, but claims he hopes to combine his new role with a playing return. Paul Williams has taken charge of Forest until the end of the season, following Dougie Freedman's dismissal, and offered Reid the chance to help out. "I got a call to ask if I'd help Paul out, which I'm more than happy to do," the 33 year old said. "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.""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 is in his second spell with Forest, re-joining the club in 2011 from Blackpool. The Dubliner, who has 29 caps, came through the club's academy and made his debut back in 2000.