Giovanni Trapattoni will ask Robbie Keane to replicate Francesco Totti's role in his Republic of Ireland masterplan.

The 27-year-old skipper was asked to play off central striker Kevin Doyle in the hole in front of Trapattoni's midfield quartet against Serbia on Saturday, and will do the same against Colombia at Craven Cottage tomorrow evening.

The Italian is hoping the Tottenham frontman can help provide the link as he attempts to replace a long ball approach with a more dynamic style of play.

Trapattoni acknowledges Roma star Totti and Keane have different qualities, but is confident his man can do a similar job.

He said: "I want him to play a little bit between the midfield and the forwards.

"I want him to play in a similar role to Francesco Totti - Totti is Totti and has other qualities to Robbie, but that's the sort of area I want him to play in.

"Robbie can play like that, and he can also score goals. He can do that."

Tomorrow's game in London will bring an end to the first phase of Trapattoni's mission as he looks towards the World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in Georgia in September.

However, he is hoping the lessons he has conducted on the training pitch both in Portugal last week and in Malahide since the squad's return to Ireland have been assimilated and taken on board for good.

The 69-year-old was delighted with the way his players worked as a team in the 1 1 draw against Serbia, although he admits they need to show more as an attacking force.

But he is adamant both facets of their approach must be conducted as a single unit.

He said: "The players know when we have the ball, we have to go forward and look for goals.

"If we score first, the opponents have to come at us and there is more space then. In recent years, the questions have been about Ireland's defence being catastrophic.

"Now, we have an opportunity against Colombia to look more confident.

"It is different question. In recent years, the defenders have lost here, lost here, lost here, mistake, mistake, mistake.

"Now, I hope, against a strong opponent, we can play better, we can be more sure."

Ireland will line up with plenty of attacking flair at their disposal with Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff supporting Keane and Doyle from the wings.

However, Trapattoni has been keen to enhance the merits of passing and movement in each of his players as he attempts to stamp his mark on them.

He said: "I don't want to speak about the past - that doesn't interest me - but normally, it was one or two passes and then a long ball.

"Now we go forward with passing and movement. Now the movement with Robbie and Doyle, with McGeady and Duff, is different.

"I don't want to change much because I don't want a revolution, but the little situations can change. I want them to be confident on the ball and play many, many, many passes."

Colombia manager Jorge Luis Pinto is also expecting Ireland to adopt a new style rather than the traditional long ball method.

"I think Trapattoni will play a tougher, more complex game with less long ball," said the Colombia manager.

"They  are a tough team, they defend in groups, they wait and break out quickly. They have a lot of similarities to the way Ecuador played in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Trapattoni has confirmed Shay Given will be his number one goalkeeper when he returns to full fitness.

Dean Kiely will win his 10th senior cap against Colombia at the age of 37 having spent much of his international career as Given's under-study.

The Newcastle keeper is currently recovering from groin surgery, but is expected to be fit for the start of the new season, and will resume as his country's first choice.

Trapattoni said: "Goalkeepers are lucky because they can play until they are 40. It is a long career.

"It is a position in which it is very important to have experience.

"Shay Given has played very many games and it is a pity he is injured, but in two or three months, he will come back, maybe in August.

"At the moment, I am very, very happy with Dean Kiely because he is experienced.

"We have others - Colin Doyle and Joe Murphy, who are very good goalkeepers - but a goalkeeper with experience gives certainty to his defenders.

"I am happy Kiely is with us. In the future, when Given comes back, the position is for him.

"But his injury is not easy and at the moment, it is important we have a solid replacement."