That was perhaps an indicator as to Kerr’s thinking ahead of the forthcoming World Cup double-header, primarily for the Lansdowne Road visit of Israel on Saturday, followed by a trip to Torshavn four days later to face the Faroe Islands.

With Newcastle’s Stephen Carr suspended against Israel and Liverpool’s Steve Finnan doubtful at this early stage with a thigh injury which forced his half-time departure from Wednesday’s momentous Champions League triumph over AC Milan, Reid is in the reckoning.

Kerr’s decision to play Reid at right-back came as a slight surprise as there was the anticipation the 24-year-old would get a run out in the centre of midfield – where he has been playing his club football recently – with Roy Keane also suspended on Saturday.

Reid had not played at right-back since his days at Millwall, although unsurprisingly was happy just to get a game after earning the last of his 11 caps against Poland in April last year.

“It was good to get a run out,” confirmed a happy Reid. “I wasn’t expecting to start, but with John O'Shea unavailable [following the death of his grandmother] it gave me a chance to be in the game.

“In the end I didn’t really treat it as a friendly. I felt I needed it because I missed the last couple of games for Blackburn through injury, which led to me staying on for an extra bit of treatment.

“I just needed to build up my fitness, and playing longer than anyone else in this game has made me that bit fitter and sharper going into these two World Cup matches. I did start to tire towards the end, but it was good to get 80 minutes under my belt.”

Reid feels he has assured Kerr he can do a job at right-back if called upon for the Israel clash, adding: “I’ve played there a few times before and I’ve really enjoyed it. With Finny doubtful and Stephen Carr suspended there is an opportunity, and in playing me in that position then hopefully it has given him food for thought.

“But to be honest it’s good to get a game in any position, and to pull the Ireland jersey back on again felt good.

“Just being back in the squad has given me an extra boost, and hopefully I can play some part in the next two games.”

Despite the disappointment of conceding an injury-time equaliser to Israel when the two sides met in Tel Aviv at the end of March, Reid is confident Ireland will prevail on this occasion.

“It is a game we go into knowing a win is the only sort of result we can look for, and I’m sure we’ll get that,” insisted Reid.