Kenny Cunningham is, presumably, a certainty for Saturday, but who will partner him at the centre of the Irish defence? Will Gary Breen reclaim his place alongside his captain or will Gary Doherty start, as he did against Bulgaria last month? Or will John O'Shea be used in the centre, where he has played for Manchester United since Roy Keane's injury?

Or will, after 13 appearances, Andy O'Brien finally start a competitive match for Ireland? The Newcastle defender doesn't need to be reminded of the statistics. He has played two minutes of competitive international football since his senior debut in June 2001 (he was an 89th-minute substitute against Estonia and Holland in the last World Cup qualifying campaign) and only four times has he played the full 90 minutes.

Little wonder, then, that he's not taking for granted his inclusion in Saturday's starting line-up, despite appearing to have established himself in the last six months, when he played those full games against Brazil, Romania, Jamaica and Holland.

"They say patience is a virtue and I would like to think I've been patient," said O'Brien, "so hopefully I'll be given a chance. You need an opportunity and a bit of luck as well sometimes. There are only 11 places up for grabs and two of them are at centre half, so we'll see.

"It's been a bit stop-start for me. I haven't started a qualifying game but I've been given a good run of games recently, which I've enjoyed. If I'm given an opportunity, hopefully it will go well. I'll be look forward to it and I'll do my best."

Should he make what he would regard as his international breakthrough on Saturday the sad irony for O'Brien is that it would come at the end of a week that saw the sacking of the man he credits for his progress in football. The man who regarded O'Brien as one of his "best signings" in his time at the club.

"I was at home when the news flashed on Sky Sports," he said of Bobby Robson's sacking. "It came as a shock to me. I'm disappointed because he brought me to the club, gave me the chance to play for Newcastle.

"He was a big influence on my career. I wasn't part of the Irish squad when I was at Bradford City, but after a few weeks at Newcastle I was promoted into the seniors, so it elevated my status. I'd like to think I've come on as a player because prior to going to Newcastle I'd had no European experience but I've been privileged enough to play Champions League and UEFA Cup football since then. Without being given that opportunity by Sir Bobby I wouldn't be here now talking about it.

"He is a man I have a lot of respect for and he will be sorely missed. But the decision has been made, Sir Bobby is to be replaced and we all have to get on with it."

Robson was known for getting players' names wrong - did he ever forget your name?

"Well, he used to pick me more often than not, so I don't know if he thought I was someone else."

How would you feel about Alan Shearer becoming the next Newcastle manager? "I'd certainly be pleased if he got a coaching role. He is the captain of the team and when you are captain it is because everybody respects you, and he has that respect not just at Newcastle, but throughout the world."

Back to international matters. O'Brien missed the game against Bulgaria with conjunctivitis, which struck several Newcastle players. It was a bout that required him to use a different bathroom from everyone else, including at the home he shares with his girlfriend.

This was too much information for the man sitting beside him, Kenny Cunningham, squirming to his right for fear he'd catch something. The Irish captain will trust that O'Brien is now recovered because he could well be right beside him for 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon.