Andy O'Brien hopes to give Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton food for thought tomorrow when it is expected he will return to the Portsmouth defence against Manchester United.

The 27-year-old has endured a miserable season to date.  Despite playing in two League Cup matches,  he has not featured, at any stage, in high-flying Portsmouth's 10 Premiership games.

Owing to that lack of sharpness, O'Brien endured a torrid night in last month's 5-2 defeat to Cyprus and he then missed Ireland's home draw with the Czech Republic days later because of an ankle injury.

Paul McShane replaced O'Brien that night and turned in a man-of-the-match performance which may well keep the Portsmouth defender out of Staunton's side to face San Marino in a fortnight.

But O'Brien, who is expected to replace the injured Linvoy Primus at Old Trafford tomorrow, will hope to seize his opportunity as McShane struggles to break back into the West Brom side.