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Roy Hodgson defends Steven Reid

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West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has launched a staunch defence of Steven Reid after he was accused of acting "like a girl" by Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole.

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West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has launched a staunch defence of Steven Reid after he was accused of acting "like a girl" by Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole.

Hodgson insisted the Baggies defender was "brave, strong and determined" after Cattermole accused him of exaggerating his reaction to a challenge to get the fiery Black Cats man booked.

The pair clashed twice in the 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light earlier this month with Cattermole, who was booked for the first challenge and substituted after the second to avoid a red card, later accusing Reid of gamesmanship.

But Hodgson said: "I don't care one little bit what Lee Cattermole says. I think players do themselves an enormous disservice, making journalists' jobs easier by giving them little headlines but they are, in actual fact, bringing the game into less repute than it should have.

"It's obvious that Steven Reid is not a big girl. He is a very brave, strong and determined character, as Cattermole has a reputation for being himself."

[24link]