The new Republic of Ireland players and some tried and tested ones

Tried . . .

Paul McShane: Thrust into the limelight against the Czechs last October, after the calamitous defeat in Cyprus where Andy O'Brien's lack of fitness proved a significant factor. The young Sunderland defender's impact was immediate and while his inexperience still shows at times he has already become firmly established as the preferred partner for Richard Dunne in central defence.

Stephen Ireland:The Manchester City midfielder famously wouldn't play for Brian Kerr but Staunton wasted no time getting him on board, handing the Corkman his debut as a second-half substitute in his first game in charge. One of the very few players to emerge from the Nicosia debacle with his reputation enhanced, his true impact was felt in the early part of this year with his performances and goals of critical importance in the wins over San Marino, Cyprus and Slovakia.

Kevin Doyle:Already in the squad by the end of 2005 but yet to see any action, Doyle also made his senior debut against the Swedes and swiftly displaced Clinton Morrison as Robbie Keane's striking partner. Quick and strong, the 23-year-old grows in stature with each game and three goals in nine appearances is a fair reflection of his impact to date.

. . . Trusted

Shay Given:The 31-year-old goalkeeper remains as important as ever to the team's fortunes. In his injury-induced absence last season, the Republic suffered the demoralising 4-0 defeat by Holland and the humiliating 5-2 defeat by Cyprus while there is the strong suspicion that he might have kept Jan Koller's goal for the Czechs out and made the win in San Marino a little less nerve-racking.

Robbie Keane:A surprising choice for skipper, perhaps, but Keane's contribution to the team's fortunes is huge. His goals in Denmark brought his tally at senior international level to 31 in 73 appearances, now well ahead of Niall Quinn's previous record but he still sometimes gives the impression that he could do a little more, particularly against the bigger teams and in competitive away games.

Richard Dunne: Now the undisputed linchpin of the Irish defence, Dunne's lack of consistency on the pitch and lack of self-discipline off it now seem to have been put behind him and the result is he is starting to really fulfil his long- recognised potential. Struck up a good relationship with McShane almost from the word go and his club form since the summer promises a good deal for Irish supporters over the coming months.

. . . and Discarded

Clinton Morrison: With no outstanding candidate for the second striker's role while he was in charge, Brian Kerr invested a good deal in the now Crystal Palace striker, capping him in 25 of his 36 games in charge. Morrison repaid Kerr's faith with three goals in 10 competitive games and a much-improved all-round contribution but he remained erratic and sometimes looked out of his depth against better teams. Has started just two games for Staunton, Holland and Cyprus away; since then he has been steadfastly overlooked.

Paddy Kenny: Having waited quite a while to get any sort of run in the team, the Sheffield United goalkeeper endured a nightmare last year when conceding nine goals in two games. A terribly difficult spell in his personal life followed and Staunton quietly moved him to one side. The 29-year-old may not be in Given's class but, like Morrison, would probably be entitled to feel aggrieved that he can't even make the squad anymore.

Liam Miller: With his fellow Corkman Stephen Ireland having effectively taken the midfield slot he would aspire to occupying, Roy Keane's assertion that Miller's lack of international opportunities these days is down to his place of birth seems faintly ridiculous but Staunton seems happy to soldier on without the 26-year-old who is now behind Darren Potter, Jonathan Douglas and Darron Gibson despite routinely playing his club football at a higher level than any of them.