Reo-Coker was dropped for Saturday's 2-0 home win over Portsmouth after the bust-up on Thursday with O'Neill.

Sidwell insisted the incident did not affect the players as they secured a fourth successive win and expects normal service to resume ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup clash with Cardiff.

He told Press Association Sport: "Were we affected? Not at all. These games are too important to let things affect you.

"We've put it aside, got our heads down and worked hard. Whatever happens on that front will be dealt with in house I'm sure.

"You know at every club that there is one gaffer. That's no different here, especially with Martin. He's such a strong character.

"I've seen it happen on training grounds so many times. Things boil over and that's it - it's just one of those things.

"At the end of the day we're a strong family and that's all that matters. Of course, it's normally between players but that just goes to show there's a lot of passion.

"You can see how the gaffer is on the sidelines. He is no different in training. It's the same with Nigel, he is a very passionate person.

"I'm sure it's going to get forgotten, put to bed. I'm sure they'll have a sit down and have a chat about it.

"I've been involved in these kind of things many times in training. Tempers go, but normally as players you shake hands and that's it."

O'Neill is sweating over the fitness of striker Emile Heskey who lasted only ten minutes as a substitute against Portsmouth before suffering an ankle injury.

O'Neill said: "Emile has rocked his ankle. I asked the doctor how it was after the game and he said it was sore. I just don't know how bad it is at this minute. It is just really unfortunate."