Rotherham United striker Alan Lee has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Euro 2004 qualifiers against Georgia and Albania.
Manager Brian Kerr was also forced to call on Sheffield Wednesday's Alan Quinn yesterday following injuries to Clinton Morrison, Jason McAteer and Gary Kelly.
Lee will boost Kerr's option in attack following Morrison's withdrawal after dislocating a shoulder against West Brom on Saturday.
But the manager will view tonight's events at the Reebok Stadium with much trepidation as the spearhead of his Irish attack, Robbie Keane, makes his return for Tottenham against Bolton following knee ligament trouble.
Galwayman Lee, scorer of 13 goals for his club this season, has yet to be capped at senior level although he did made five under-21 appearances.
"I'm very excited about it," the 6ft 2in frontman said on Rotherham's official website.
"With the games being played in Albania and Georgia, which aren't the most attractive of places, I'm not too surprised that some players have cried off but I am really looking forward to the experience."
Meanwhile, defender Steve Finnan had his rib injury assessed by Ireland team doctor Martin Walsh on his arrival in Dublin today. The 26-year-old will undergo an MRI scan tomorrow.
John O'Shea is expected to join the squad at their Dublin hotel tonight despite picking up a hamstring knock in Manchester United's weekend win over Fulham.