BLACKBURN manager Sam Allardyce has angrily demanded an apology from Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni after labelling the Italian’s comments about Steven Reid ‘‘disgusting’’.

Reid, 28, has made just two Carling Cup appearances in nearly a year after sustaining a serious knee injury and saw his first-team comeback hindered recently with a niggling Achilles tendon complaint.

When asked about the player, Trapattoni cast doubt on whether he would ever be able to return to his best, saying a full recovery would be ‘‘very, very difficult’’.

Allardyce pulled no punches with his response, demanding action from both the Football Association of Ireland and Trapattoni himself.

‘‘It’s disgraceful, completely out of order,’’ said the Rovers boss, whose side face Chelsea today.

‘‘He’s not talking correctly in terms of Steven’s injury.

What he is saying is completely untrue and something he should apologise for.

‘‘He has undermined us as a club, undermined Steven as a player and he has really been very, very naughty in what he has said. He should make a public apology ‘‘Steven has had a long haul and he’s trying to resurrect his career. He also wants to go and play for his country as he has done many, many times and given his all on every occasion.

“There’s no player more honest than Steven and to be dealt that sort of a blow at this stage, trying to come back from a big injury and picking up another little niggle, is very, very disrespectful to say the least. It’s disgusting.’’