MANAGER Peter Reid has described as 'a pleasant surprise' the presence of Plymouth Argyle defender Reda Johnson at training this week.

Johnson, 22, had been expected to be on international duty with Benin, after being included in their squad for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi this weekend.

But Benin coach Jean-Marc Nobilo, reportedly under pressure from the country's football federation, later told Johnson he would not be required after all.

It all stems from the fall-out of Benin's failure to progress past the first round of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in January.

Benin's football federation fired all 23 members of the squad, including Johnson, in February for "indiscipline and a lack of patriotism", as well as the poor results.

Since then, Benin have had three coaches, with Nobilo being appointed only recently.

Nobilo named 10 of the 23 banned players in his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi in Cotonou, the capital of Benin, this weekend.

But the Benin football federation refused to accept two of them — with Johnson one of them.

According to Le Matinal newspaper, the pair are "always undesirable to the federation", having been "accused of wrongdoing" during the tournament in Angola.

The Benin sports minister, Modest Kerekou, has been lobbying for the bans on all 23 players to be lifted, but seemingly without success in the case of Johnson.

Reid admitted he was unsure of the circumstances surrounding the U-turn on the centre-back's call-up by Benin.

"We got documentation through about it, and then I think the coach has had a word with him and told him not go out there," said the Argyle manager.

"That's my understanding of it, which I find a little bit strange."

Reid continued: "I don't know the whys and wherefors of it but it's a pleasant surprise for me. The boy doesn't seem overly concerned."

Johnson was Argyle's captain for their 3-0 defeat by Peterborough United at Home Park on Saturday.

That was because midfielder Carl Fletcher was ruled out by a thigh injury.

It was not the first time Johnson had been the skipper, however, because he carried out the role when the Pilgrims lost 1-0 at home to Notts County in the Carling Cup on August 10.

On that occasion, Fletcher was rested by Reid.

Johnson and N'Gala formed a youthful partnership at centre-back against Peterborough.

And while they struggled in that game, Reid remains convinced both players have bright futures with Argyle.

"Reda has got pace and I think he's very commanding," he said.

"He needs to keep it simple, though. He tried a brag-back in the final third on Saturday, which wasn't good for my heart or the supporters' hearts.

"What you must remember is he's still learning, but he has got great qualities in pace and strength and I think he will get better."