THE REPUBLIC of Ireland's training camp in Portugal concluded yesterday, the squad returning to Dublin today to prepare for Saturday's friendly against Serbia at Croke Park.

While the absence of several of his senior players during the week, including captain Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne and John O'Shea, might have been a source of frustration for Giovanni Trapattoni it did at least present an opportunity to those on the fringes of the squad to show the new manager their worth.

One of those players is Stephen McPhail, who, since his first call-up by Mick McCarthy eight years ago, has won just 10 caps.

The former Leeds and Barnsley midfielder, who captained Cardiff City in their FA Cup final defeat by Portsmouth last Saturday, joined up with the squad in time to make a second-half appearance against Lagos on Tuesday.

"I wasn't expecting to come on at all," he said. "I only got off the plane at 5.30, got into the hotel and there's a match on. I must admit I wasn't too fresh; the head was all over the place. But it was good to get a run-out. The manager just asked had I 20 minutes in me. He took me by surprise.

"He's my first foreign manager so I didn't know what to expect, or how he would come across. But he's a really nice man; his enthusiasm for the game is frightening.

"He opens your eyes. You know what he's on about. There's no problem with the language; it seems to be straightforward."

McPhail's own enthusiasm for the new regime is evident, bordering on awe.

"He has a wealth of experience - you just look at his record - and if he can't get us going again I don't think there will be many others who will. We have quite a young squad so his experience is invaluable. In the coming years, give him time and let him do his job.

"(Liam) Brady and (Marco) Tardelli are absolute legends and if you can't learn off people like them you'll never learn. All the lads are looking forward to a new era and hopefully a successful one.

"Give this manager time to stamp his authority on the whole set-up. And he needs time to get his ideas across. We need to work hard to achieve what we want to achieve, which is qualifying for the World Cup, but we have every chance with this man."

McPhail isn't banking on adding to his caps tally on Saturday, but he admits the chance to play in Croke Park would mean everything to him.

"It would be special, something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid. If the chance came along I'd be over the moon.

"I played Gaelic football with the school years and years ago, a final with St Joseph's secondary school. I went to watch the Wales game at Croke Park and the atmosphere . . . it's just a special place to play. It would be nice to get on the pitch.

"Saturday was as low as I've felt after a game (when Cardiff lost the cup final). When it was over it was devastating. It was the lowest I've felt coming off when the final whistle went; it was heartbreaking, especially having gotten that far. When it's over it's gone and you know you might never have the chance again."

"But then all of a sudden, come Monday, I was back involved in the international set-up and had something to look forward to again. No time to be sad and moping around. It was a fantastic lift. If I could be involved on Saturday it would be a good end to a good season."

Xabi Alonso could be on the brink of a €15-million move to Juventus. High-level Liverpool sources declined to comment on reports that there had been contact between the two clubs.