Ireland manager Mick McCarthy today named his 22-man
squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Cyprus on March 24th and Andorra on March 28th.
Niall Quinn is included though a nagging back injury means doubts exist over his participation in both matches.
Chances are that for the game against Andorra, at least, McCarthy will go for a striking duo of Robbie Keane and David Connolly as he had planned to do in the friendly against Denmark last February before this was cancelled.
Gary Doherty and Rory Delap, two others who the manager would have appreciated seeing in action against Denmark, retain their places in the squad, as does Kenny Cunningham who can expect to make his first appearence in the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign.
In the only change from the squad supposed to face Denmark, Gary Kelly returns in place of the injured Steve Carr. The full squad is:
Goalkeepers: Alan Kelly (Blackburn Rovers), Shay Given (Newcastle United), Dean Kiely (Charlton Athletic).
Defenders: Gary Kelly (Leeds United), Steve Staunton (Aston Villa), Ian Harte (Leeds United), Gary Breen (Coventry City), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Kenny Cunningham (Wimbledon), Gary Doherty (Tottenham Hostspur).
Midfielders: Roy Keane (Manchester United), Mark Kinsella (Charlton Athletic), Lee Carsley (Coventry City), Jason McAteer (Blackburn Rovers), Matt Holland (Ipswich Town), Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland), Steve Finnan (Fulham), Rory Delap (Derby County).
Forwards: Damien Duff (Blackburn Rovers), Niall Quinn (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Leeds United), David Connolly (Feyenoord/Excelsior).