There were a number of important additions to the Ireland set-up announced today, but Steve Staunton could hardly be expected to get excited about the arrival of 50 new Ford people carriers.  His major concerns, revolved around the wellbeing of some key men.

He must surely have been on the phone ever since Ireland were spanked 4-0 by Holland at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday. He needed some good news from London and Newcastle especially.

Relief for him then, as captain Robbie Keane and winger Damien Duff both panted their way into the squad having overcome niggly knocks (thigh and groin) that saw them rested for the embarrassment inflicted by Marco Van Basten's side.

Also returning are Richard Dunne and Shay Given, both of whom are as indispensable as the above duo at this stage. Dunne's Manchester City teammate Stephen Ireland is also in the squad, as is Gary Doherty, of, eemmmmm, Norwich City.

Spurs youth striker Terry Dixon is demoted to the under-21 squad.

"I'm delighted to have the boys available to me after their recent injuries, they are regular members of the squad and it's vital that we have everyone we can available to us for this tough test," Staunton said of the returning quintet.

"Fingers crossed we will have a full squad to choose from," he added. "Germany will be a tough test and we will need our best players fit and ready."

A significant omission however, is Ian Harte.  His absence will mean that Steve Finnan may be required at left back and therefore Stephen Carr is again at right back.  Anybody who witnessed the ease with which the latter was exposed by Arjen Robben and Tim De Cler last Wednesday will understand why this maybe a problem in Stuttgart.

Of course, Kevin Kilbane is another option for left-back and Finnan for midfield, but these are all moot points considering we have nearly two weeks before the game and therefore a fortnight for people, - key people - to crock themselves.

If that is the case there is little in reserve to take a the 'A' game to Stuttgart.   Alan Lee has been left in Ipswich.  Newcastle's Alan O'Brien is included, but will hopefully be slowed down to a walk before the game and introduced to his teammates.

Staunton may have been better served by including Andy Reid in the squad, given he returned to competitive action for 20 minutes with Charlton at the weekend.

Staunton was left badly exposed last week after the withdrawal of Dunne, Duff, Given, Keane and Harte, so the return of four of the five will lift spirits. But even if they remain fit, there is little to say they will have enough to stop the well-oiled machine from Camp Loew.

The FAI also announced a €2million sponsorship deal with Ford who become the official vehicle supplier to the Association and international squad today.

The deal is part of a four-year programme where the car manufacturer will supply up to 50 new Ford S-MAX models to FAI officials involved in developing the game nationwide.

"Our Regional Development Officers will truly benefit from Ford's sponsorship and this in turn will enhance the work that they do throughout the country to promote the game", said FAI chief executive John Delaney.

Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, commented: "Ford has been a sponsor of the Uefa Champions League since the inception of the tournament in the early 90s. The agreement with the FAI is an opportunity to extend our support of soccer to the national arena, at the outset of an exciting campaign for the Irish team."

Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Wayne Henderson (Brighton), Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Stephen Carr (Newcastle United), Steve Finnan (Liverpool), Stephen Kelly (Birmingham), Gary Doherty (Norwich)
Midfielders: Kevin Kilbane (Everton), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Graham Kavanagh (Wigan), Liam Miller (Manchester United) Jonathan Douglas (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Ireland (Manchester City), Damien Duff (Newcastle United)
Forwards: Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Stephen Elliott (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace), Alan O'Brien, (Newcastle United)