Rep of Ireland v Paraguay Richmond Park Kick-off: 7.30 p.m.Inder-20 International Friendly: The Republic of Ireland under-20 team play their final warm-up game tonight before leaving for the World Youth Cup in the United Arab Emirates tomorrow.

Paraguay, semi-finalists in Argentina two years ago, and drawn this time around in a group with Germany, the United States and Korea, provide the opposition.

Since naming his squad three weeks ago Irish manager Gerry Smith has had to dip into his pool of 12 stand-by players on three occasions, following the withdrawals through injury of Adrian Deane, Stephen Brennan and Seán Thornton.

"Fingers crossed we don't lose any more," he said ahead of tonight's game. "It's been a bit of a nightmare, but I have absolute faith in the lads who've come in."

National League players Eamon Zayed (Bray Wanderers), Seán Dillon (Longford Town) and Keith Fahey (St Patrick's Athletic) have been called up to replace the injured trio.

"We'll be giving everyone a chance against Paraguay. The last few games have been about picking the squad, now it's about picking the team. I don't know yet who will play against the Saudis," he said in reference to team's opening World Youth Cup on Saturday week, "and that's why all of them should know that every place in the team is up for grabs."

Longford Town defender Stephen Paisley (thigh strain) is the only doubt for tonight's game, which Smith hopes will attract a big crowd. "This is the players' party and for some of them it might be their only World Cup. I hope people will come out and show them how much Ireland is behind them."

"We just want to get to going now," said Tottenham's Stephen Kelly (on loan at Watford), "there's a fantastic buzz about the squad and a great atmosphere - we're looking forward to playing Paraguay, but more than anything we're looking forward to playing Saudi Arabia and getting our tournament under way.

"Hopefully, we can put on a good show in Richmond Park and give ourselves the best possible send-off."

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER-20 SQUAD: Henderson (Aston Villa), Murphy (Swansea City), Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Zayed (Bray), Kearney, Doyle (both Cork City), Ward (Kidderminster Harriers), Potter, Foley (both Liverpool), Paisley, Dillon (both Longford Town), McCarthy, Flood, Elliott (all Manchester City), Whelan (Manchester City, on loan at Bury), Bell (Rushden and Diamonds), Capper (Scarborough), Kelly (Tottenham, on loan at Watford), Daly (Stockport County), Fahey (St Patrick's Athletic).