If the assumption was the newcomers named in the Irish squad for the training camp in the Algarve were only being brought along by Steve Staunton for the experience, and had little prospect of actually featuring against Chile, then yesterday's updated injury list may yet leave the manager no option but to hand out a debut or two on Wednesday night, especially if he chooses to use up his full complement of substitutes.

Andy O'Brien, Joey O'Brien, Alan Quinn and Paddy Kenny all failed to train in Luz yesterday and were subsequently ruled out of the game at Lansdowne Road, and while Clinton Morrison (knee), Steve Finnan (groin) and Alan Lee (hamstring) managed some light training, all remain doubtful for Wednesday.

Damien Duff should, however, be available for the game despite missing training yesterday with a sinus problem. Jason Byrne and Liam Lawrence, who both arrived at the squad's headquarters on Saturday, trained for the first time yesterday, while Cork City's Joe Gamble, who was in action against Derry City on Saturday night, was due to join up with the squad last night.

"We're really pleased with the set-up here," said Staunton after yesterday's two-hour training session, "the facilities are excellent and we've got quite a bit of work done. The boys have trained hard."

Absent from the trip, of course, is Bobby Robson, recovering from a recent operation, but he confirmed yesterday he planned to be in Dublin tomorrow to meet the squad on their return from Portugal.

And the squad appear to be enjoying their stay here. "This is something different, something we've never done before," said Richard Dunne of the trip.

"It's a different kind of preparation to the same old routine back in Portmarnock. It's as much a bonding session as a training camp because there are a lot of young lads here who have not been in the squad before so it's a chance for people to get to know each other."

Like the rest of his more senior colleagues Dunne has felt like a veteran on this trip, so young are the new faces. "It seems to have happened so suddenly," he said.

"Going into the new campaign we're without a few players who retired after the last one, so there are a few of us who've become the senior players now. Myself, I feel I'm starting to use my experience more wisely. It is important that if anyone has any questions they can ask us and we can tell them what to do.

"I've never really been a regular, it's been a bit stop/start for me, a bit frustrating, so this is a chance now to be part of a team - and if Stan is saying an important part then that's great. It's important for the likes of me, Robbie and Damien that we don't let these championships slip by because they do start to run out.

"Already, it's probably my last chance to play in the finals of the European Championship. I'll be then, hopefully, in my prime, and it's really important to me - and for the other lads in the squad - that we don't let these chances slip by. It's a big two years for us."