MICK MCCARTHY was revising his front line options yesterday after John Aldridge had confirmed his withdrawal from the World Cup game in Liechtenstein on Saturday week.
Aldridge, Tranmere Rovers player manager, sought permission to be excused from the game after Tranmere had failed to get their English First Division game against Bradford Cia on the same day postponed.
"Ii explained my situation to Mick McCarthy and he agreed that in the circumstances I could stay behind and manage Tranmere," said Aldridge. "Saturday games are relatively unusual in international football and hopefully the problem will not arise again as I value my Ireland career and feel I still have something to offer."
With Tommy Coyne excluded from the squad and David Kelly only recently returned to club football after a protracted injury, it presents McCarthy with some difficult decisions in selecting a runner to complement either Niall Quinn or Tony Cascarino in the front line.
However, Aldridge's withdrawal provides a splendid opportunity for David Connolly or Keith O'Neill, two of the big successes of the end of season tour of America, to press their claims for a first appearance in a competitive game.
Connolly (19) reminded the Ireland manager of the predatory instincts which make him Watford's biggest asset when scoring in their 2-1 win at Bournemouth last Saturday while O'Neill has also made a promising start to the season at Norwich.
The 31 players left in the squad - Roy Keane had earlier withdrawn - are due to assemble in Dublin on Sunday but McCarthy's plans for an elaborate build up to the game in Liechtenstein have already been disrupted.
Denis Irwin and Jeff Kenna will be on opposite sides when Manchester United play Blackburn on Sunday and four more members of the squad - Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Kenny Cunningham and Jon Goodman - must remain in England for the Leeds Utd Wimbledon game on Monday evening.
With several others involved in games in midweek, there could be no more than 24 players in Dublin on Sunday and it now appears that those not required to travel to Liechtenstein may be on their way back to England as early as Tuesday.
