Jason McAteer today marked his return from a string of injuries with an international call-up to Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming crunch Euro 2004 qualifiers against Georgia and Albania.
The Sunderland clubman has not featured in a green jersey since Ireland's humiliating Group 10 defeat to Russia in Moscow last September, but having overcome two hernia operations and hamstring trouble, the midfielder is now in line to win his 52nd cap.
Kerr traveled to Loftus Road three weeks ago to see Sunderland play Fulham and was suitable impressed with McAteer's performance. The manager was delighted to see the 31-year-old "play well" and was encouraged by his "lively" performance.
"It might have taken him the first half to adjust but he looked in good nick," explained Kerr. The Dubliner said he had "no hard and fast feel" on McAteer's position but admitted playing him in centre midfield was an option.
Wolves winger Mark Kennedy, named in Kerr's first squad for last month's friendly win over Scotland, has been dropped but is standing by should their be a late withdrawal. Kerr, who has monitored Kennedy's progress in recent weeks, said it had been an "awkward decision" to leave the 26-year-old out.
Kerr explained other players will be put on standby but refused to be drawn on their identity. He will take in games across the water this weekend and "tidy up" who is on that list.
Richard Dunne's dismal club form of late has predictably forced his omission while Stephen McPhail's inability to force his way into Terry Venables' plans at Leeds have seen him turn down a similar road.
Rory Delap's knee ligament injury is improving but the versatile Southampton star is targeting a mid-April return and is therefore unavailable.
The return from injury of forwards Damien Duff and Robbie Keane significantly boosts Kerr's hand for the games in Tblisi (March 29th) and Tirana (April 2nd) but the manager will monitor both players progress in the coming weeks.
Keane suffered knee ligament damage in Tottenham's league win over Sunderland four weeks ago and will not feature against Liverpool on Sunday. The 22-year-old must play some part in Tottenham's game at Bolton on Monday, March 24th if he is to figure in Kerr's plans. Kerr admitted it was a "bit worrying" that the striker would not play this weekend.
Kerr spoke with Duff on Wednesday and reported that the Blackburn man is "raring to go". The Dubliner has been inactive for almost seven weeks after picking up a hamstring problem in his club's Worthington Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United. He came through a full training game during the week and will line out against Arsenal tomorrow.
Kerr refused to be drawn on a possible team selection for the Georgia game and said in general he preferred to pick it as late as possible.
"If it end up with three or four players dropping out it is going to prove more difficult, but the best process is just to wait and see. At the moment it's very open for me so there is no point in me saying I know my best team."
Kenny Cunningham, Gary Kelly and Steve Finnan all return after pulling out of the Scotland squad through injury and illness.
The Ireland team take to the skies for the five hour journey to Tbilisi on March 27th before going battle with their Georgian counterparts at the Lokomotiv Stadium two days later. They then undergo a three-and-a-half hour flight to Tirana where they meet Albania in the Q Stafa Stadium on April 2nd.
"I've inherited the position," Kerr continued, "whereby we have lost our two previous group games. We need the points and I want to go out there and do our stuff."
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Given, Kiely, Colgan.
Defenders: Carr, Breen, O'Brien, Cunnigham, Kelly, Finnan, O'Shea, Harte.
Midfielders: Carsley, Healy, McAteer, Kinsella, Holland, Reid, Kilbane
Attackers: Duff, Morrison, Doherty, Connolly, Keane