Veteran Gary Breen will return to the Republic of Ireland team for the first time since 2004 when he partners Richard Dunne in the heart of defence against Chile at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.
Recently released by relegated Sunderland, Breen has not featured for his country since the 1-0 friendly win over Croatia in Dublin 18 months ago. He gets the nod following Andy O'Brien's withdrawal through injury.
Despite naming a 30-man squad ahead of the game and training camp in Portugal - from where the players return today - manager Steve Staunton has relatively little cover at centre back.
Following Kenny Cunningham's retirement, cover for the position has looked somewhat bare with John O'Shea the only player left in the squad with experience in the position.
These days, however, the Manchester United star is being groomed as a midfielder and, indeed, is reunited with Steven Reid in the middle of the park having played there against Sweden last time.
Stephen Kelly is another to benefit from the spate of end-of-season knocks. The Tottenham player - expected to leave the club in the coming weeks - makes his senior debut at right full owing to Joey O'Brien's injury.
Kevin Kilbane will win his 70th cap from the opposite corner having filled that role when introduced as a second-half substitute against Sweden last time out.
Steve Finnan is named in the starting line-up having recovered from a slight groin strain but has suffered a post-training setback (knee) and his situation will be monitored over the next 24 hours.
Staunton said: "Steve had a very slight reaction after training this morning. We will assess the situation tomorrow morning following the results of the fitness test."
Up front, Staunton selects Reading's Kevin Doyle alongside captain Robbie Keane.
Clinton Morrison (knee) and Alan Lee (hamstring) were both ruled out yesterday so 16-year-old Terry Dixon and Shelbourne's Jason Byrne are the only recognised strikers left on the bench.
Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, midfielder Alan Quinn as well as the two O'Briens, Andy and Joey, were placed on the injury list over the weekend but remained with the squad in Portugal.
The squad returns home to their Portmarnock base later today ahead of tomorrow's game which holds a 7.30pm kick-off.
A limited number of stand and terrace tickets are still available. Tickets can be purchased at FAI Headquarters in Dublin, through the credit card booking line, 01-7037 562, and Shelbourne football club in Drumcondra.
Terrace tickets can also be purchased from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Stand tickets are priced €36, €42 and €48, while terrace tickets are on sale at €20.
Rep of Ireland v Chile: Shay Given; Stephen Kelly, Richard Dunne, Gary Breen, Kevin Kilbane; Steve Finnan, John O'Shea, Steven Reid, Damien Duff; Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.
