Rep of Ireland squad: Giovanni Trapattoni has included Kevin Doyle in his 25-man squad to face Nigeria, despite the Reading striker's Achilles injury. The Italian has also named Coventry City frontman Leon Best and Stoke City's Liam Lawrence in the travelling party for the May 29th friendly at Craven Cottage.
The squad will be cut to 22 after the match and ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia on June 6th.
Doyle’s inclusion would suggest Trapattoni retains hope he will be fit for the meeting with Bulgaria after sustaining the injury in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Burnley.
A scan last week revealed damage that would usually require a four to six week lay-off and though Trapattoni hopes Doyle can do some training between now and the Nigeria game a second scan is likely to decide whether he travels or not.
Wolves defender Kevin Foley and Hull City striker Caleb Folan are named but there are no places for defenders Alex Bruce, Damien Delaney, Steve Finnan and Darren O’Dea, or the other injured Reading striker, Noel Hunt (broken foot).
“Preparations for the game against Nigeria on May 29th will allow us to see some new players who have distinguished themselves during the course of the last season and also to welcome back players like Caleb Folan and Kevin Foley,” said Trapattoni today.
“Nigeria is a powerhouse of African football, with many strong and fast players who are playing for top clubs in England and Europe. They will provide a challenging test before the very important World Cup Qualfier in Bulgaria on June 6th.”
Foley, Lawrence and Best are three of six uncapped players in the squad. Goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and Preston defenders Eddie Nolan and Sean St Ledger are the others.
While Lawrence's inclusion is not entirely a surprise, after the 27 year-old played a key role in keeping Stoke in the Premier League, Best's presence in the squad was foreseen by few and comes largely as a result of the injury to Hunt.
The 22-year-old Englishman has two under-21 caps and is part of a misfiring Coventry side that finished 17th in the Championship this season. In 31 league appearances (16 starts) he managed just two goals but also scored two in four FA Cup outings.
A positive result in Sofia would cement the unbeaten Republic's second-place standing in Group eight behind reigning world champions Italy.
Bulgaria managed to hold Trapattoni's side to a 1-1 draw at Croke Park in March when Kevin Kilbane's late own-goal cancelled out Richard Dunne's opener.
However, the Irish made amends in Bari four days later when skipper Robbie Keane's 88th-minute strike ensured they returned with a point after Vincenzo Iaquinta had put Italy's 10-men in front.
They currently trail the Italians by two points and are five better off then their nearest rivals for the runners-up spot, Bulgaria.
A draw would maintain that gap and a victory extend it with just three games to play - a difficult trip to Cyprus, where the wheels came off in the last European Championships qualifying campaign, in September, and home clashes with Italy and Montenegro the following month.
That would give them a genuine platform to push for qualification for next summer's finals in South Africa, although no-one is taking anything for granted.
Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan, who has become a fixture in Trapattoni's side, said: "We have done well in the qualifiers, but if we want to progress, then the Bulgaria game is the kind we need to win.
"We have to work hard and do things right. It would be unbelievable to get to the finals, but I am taking it one step at a time."
Republic of Ireland squad to face Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Shay Given, Dean Kiely, Keiren Westwood
Defenders: Eddie Nolan, Sean St. Ledger, John O'Shea, Kevin Foley, Paul McShane, Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly, Kevin Kilbane
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt, Andy Keogh, Liam Lawrence
Forwards: Caleb Folan, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Leon Best
