Peter Reid to hijack Healy transfer?

Reports from Ireland today suggest that former Sunderland gaffer Peter Reid could be on the verge of hijacking the move of Colin Healy from Celtic to Sunderland.

Healy gave Mick McCarthy an agreement in principle in mid-July that he would play for Sunderland as soon as the precarious financial situation eased, and the club duly announced last week that the player had passed a medical and agreed personal terms, but a disagreement over the interpretation of rules about compensation for young players is holding up the transfer of Healy's registration.

According to the International Football League Board - a body representing England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - compensation is due if a player aged 24 or under leaves a club under freedom of contract.

But FIFA regulations - introduced last December - say the cut-off age for compensation is a player's 23rd birthday. Healy is 23.

And it seems that Leeds boss Reid is taking advantage of the stalemate by offering to let him train with Leeds during the coming week - an offer which the player has apparently accepted. Reid is said to have wanted Healy to play for his side in the Dublin Tournament 2003 this weekend.

Reid is reportedly quoted as saying "I will still have to speak to Martin O'Neill about Colin's possible move to Leeds but I'm not expecting any problems."