Team News: Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid will return to international duty with the Republic of Ireland for their friendly against Norway tonight after passing a late fitness test.
The 27-year-old, who has not played for his country for almost two years because of a succession of injuries, was a doubt after sustaining a knee problem during training in Malahide last Sunday.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday named him provisionally in his starting line-up, with Sunderland's Liam Miller on standby.
However, Reid was passed fit this morning and will line up alongside Stoke's Glenn Whelan in central midfield at the Ullevaal Stadium.
Reid won the last of his 20 caps to date against Germany in September 2006.
Trapattoni has fielded as strong a team as he possibly can as he looks towards next month's tricky World Cup qualifying double-header against Georgia at a neutral venue and away to Montenegro.
Trapattoni blooded several younger players during the Republic's post domestic season trip to Portugal and in the subsequent friendlies against Serbia and Colombia as injuries and unavailability limited his options.
However, vastly-experienced keeper Shay Given, full-back Steve Finnan, who has come out of international retirement at the manager's request, and the fit-again Kevin Kilbane will all start.
"It is important for me to test players like Finnan, Kilbane, Given and Steven Reid," said the manager.
"I have already said these players are very important for us because they have experience, international experience. They give us more safety in games.
"But I know already players like (Liam) Miller, in the last game against Colombia, (Damien) Delaney, and we have not forgotten (the injured) Paul McShane.
"But at the moment, I am happy with the squad because the last time, we had only 13 players; now we have 22, who are very, very strong.
"We have to believe we have a strong team like others who have stars - Italy, Spain, England."
In midfield Reid and Whelan will be flanked by Damien Duff on the left and Aidan McGeady on the left. Up front Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle will lead the line.
Republic of Ireland (v Norway):
Shay Given; Steve Finnan, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane; Damien Duff, Steven Reid, Glenn Whelan, Aidan McGeady; Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane
Fixture:
Norway v Republic of Ireland
Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo
Kick-off: 6.00 pm (Irish time).
(Live on Setanta 2)
