Denis Irwin is expected to reclaim his place when Manchester United seek to accelerate their challenge for the European Champions League with a home win over Barcelona tomorrow.
Irwin, named yesterday in the list of three from which Ireland's Player of the Year will be chosen, was left out of the team which beat Coventry at the weekend because of injury.
Now, the indications are that he will return in place of Philip Neville as Alex Ferguson prepares to put the emphasis on experience.
"The manager hasn't given any guarantees about the Barcelona game but I'm hopeful of getting in," said Irwin.
"It's our biggest game of the season so far and it's one that everyone wants to play in.
"I had a dead leg after taking a knock against Charlton last Wednesday but at a push I could have played against Coventry.
"Fitness is not a problem but with so much competition for places, nobody can afford to be complacent".
In the past, Ferguson has tended to rest the Irishman - who, at 32, is the senior member of his squad - before big games and his decision to omit him last Saturday was viewed in that light.
The only other change in the team may be at centre back, where Henning Berg is on standby for Ronnie Johnsen. Johnsen had further treatment on a swollen ankle yesterday, when the manager described the injury as worrying.
"It's a setback we could have done without, for he has played well in recent games," Ferguson said. "I'm going to give him as long as possible to recover for I feel that I owe him that chance."
Ferguson was equally complimentary about Irwin, a player he says embodies the spirit of Manchester United, but it was left to Irish manager Mick McCarthy to deliver the more pertinent tribute to the man who filled such an influential role in the defeat of Croatia on September 5th.
"They say that the really great players deliver when the chips are down and Denis's performance in the Croatian game made the point perfectly," he said. "He was superb."
Completing the list for Ireland's senior player award are Ken Cunningham and Shay Given, players who, in their different ways, have been at the heart of McCarthy's rebuilding programme. For a man who never rated during the Jack Charlton regime, Cunningham's international record is exemplary, perhaps best reflected by the fact that he is now the senior partner in any central defensive combination.
Given has undeniably profited from Alan Kelly's injury problems but the manner in which he has matured at club and international level over the past couple of years is testimony to a fine goalkeeping talent.
Predictably, the Newcastle goalkeeper is also among the nominations for the Young Player of the Year award, for which he will be in competition with two of the most exciting newcomers to the senior squad, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane.
It is a measure of the progress of Duff and Keane that, from not being in contention for the honour last season, they have emerged as credible alternatives to Given.
There is, too, the outline of an outstanding senior international in Daryl Clare, the Grimsby Town forward who, with Kevin Kilbane and Robbie Ryan, is nominated for the Under-21 award.
Clare, born in Jersey of Irish parents, was unknown in this country until Alan Buckley, the Grimsby manager, tipped off Irish assistant manager Ian Evans about his Irish qualifications. The outcome is a gifted newcomer who impressed many with the quality of his display in the under-21 side which drew 2-2 with Croatia at Buckley Park.
Declan Daly, one of Cork City's most loyal servants, joins two other centre backs, Colin Hawkins and Pat Scully, in the nominations for the National League award.
Any one of the trio would make an acceptable choice and if Hawkins rates as favourite on the strength of two superb displays against Celtic at the start of the season, the final ballot is certain to be close.
Liam George, whose successful penalty secured Ireland's win over Germany in the final of the European Under-18 Championship in Cyprus, is listed for the Youth award with Ger Crossley and Barry Quinn.
