SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn has revealed that a pre-season pep talk with Andy Reid led to the midfielder shedding over a stone as part of his self-imposed summer training regime.

“I thought it was his brother when he turned up for training,” quipped Quinn, who urged Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni to acknowledge Reid’s improved physique by handing the winger a second chance at international level.

The Ireland boss has not selected Reid following an incident in the team hotel after a World Cup qualifier victory over Georgia last September.

Quinn has been angered by Trapattoni’s recent attempts to persuade Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland to end his self-imposed exile from international football while disregarding Reid’s claim.

“It’s funny as there is a lot of talk about working hard to get people (Stephen Ireland) who won’t put a jersey on and you have a guy here (Andy Reid) who is literally bursting a gut to stick a jersey on him,’’ said Quinn.

“I think there is an injustice there. All I can say is come along and you’ll see a guy who has turned over a new leaf.’’ Quinn also revealed he offered Reid an ultimatum at the end of last season: “Basically I asked Andy if he wanted to be remembered as a guy involved in two relegations and a nearly man who people said had all this great skill which didn’t materialise?

“Or did he want to have a great seven or eight years in your career? He took it by the scruff of the neck."