Jason McAteer and Shay Given are back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time this season after Mick McCarthy named a preliminary list of 30 for next month's European championship play-off games against Turkey.
Coupled with the return of Roy Keane, McCarthy will, in theory at least, have all his established players available for what he describes as Ireland's most important assignment in two years.
The reality may prove somewhat different, however, for even if McAteer and Given confirm their fitness at club level before the first leg at Lansdowne Road on November 13th, it is far from certain that either will be in the starting line-up.
In McAteer's case, he may do well to stay in contention when McCarthy trims the party to 22 players after sifting the evidence of next weekend's club programme in England.
Out of action since last April because of a deep-rooted calf muscle problem, McAteer returned to Blackburn's team for the first time as a 69th-minute replacement for Lee Carsley in the 2-0 defeat by Manchester City last Saturday.
He also made a belated entrance as a substitute in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Walsall, but whether 47 minutes of club football is suitable preparation for a big international assignment - even for one of his experience - is a moot point.
Almost certainly a fit Gary Kelly would be McCarthy's first choice on the right side of midfield, and with Mark Kennedy capable of playing on either flank, McAteer's name could well be one of the eight deleted from the manager's list when he revises the squad on Tuesday.
Given, by contrast, is assured of a summons to Dublin for the first meeting with Turkey, but only as cover for the revitalised Blackburn goalkeeper Alan Kelly.
No less than McAteer, Given is short of match practice after making just two Premiership appearances for Newcastle since returning from a knee operation in the summer.
The other important consideration in determining Ireland's first-choice goalkeeper is Kelly's outstanding performances since returning to favour. Even though he ranks only second behind the Australian John Filan at Ewood Park, Kelly's form on international duty this season has been imposing to the point where he is now something of an automatic choice on McCarthy's team sheet.
Ian Harte, another player enduring a fragmented year in international football, is recalled to an increasingly competitive situation at full back, where, in addition to Denis Irwin and Stephen Staunton, McCarthy has the option of playing Tottenham's Steve Carr.
Carr started at right back in three of Ireland's last five European games and did sufficiently well to convince even the most sceptical that he is not out of his depth at this level. Yet Irwin and Staunton look certain to keep their places.
After toying with the idea of promoting Bradford City's Andy O'Brien, McCarthy has decided to keep faith with Phil Babb as cover for established centre backs Kenny Cunningham and Gary Breen.
