Republic of Ireland international midfielder Steven Reid has been ruled out for the rest of the season while Kevin Doyle looks certain to miss next month's European qualifier away to San Marino.

Reid, victim to a string of injuries during his career, suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in training and faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"We are desperately sorry for the lad," said Blackburn chairman John Williams.  "He has worked so hard to get back to full fitness after his back injury and was close to making a return to action."

Reid has not played since suffering a stress fracture to his back in September when featuring for the Republic of Ireland in their opening European qualifier against Germany.

That injury sidelined him for four months and he was always a serious doubt for the spring international programme.

While he was nearing a return to club action, Blackburn's medical staff now estimate it could be at least another six months before the 25-year-old plays again.

Doyle injured his right hamstring in the first half of the drawn Premiership game against Everton and needed assistance leaving the pitch.

The player, who joined the Royals in 2005,  underwent a scan today as Reading sought to determine the full extent of his  injury. After being assessed by medical staff, the club said they believe Doyle will be sidelined for at least four weeks making it extremely unlikely that he'll be available for the game against San Marino on February 7th.

It now looks like Doyle will be back for Reading's trip to Middlesbrough on February 24, with an outside chance of featuring against Aston Villa on February 10th.

"We've had him scanned and it's better than we thought," said Reading manager Steve Coppell.

"He'll be out for four weeks at most."