By Paul Doyle
Mick McCarthy today announced his squad for Ireland’s home World Cup tie with Cyprus on October 6th. Mark Kinsella and Gary Breen both return after injury, but Kenny Cunningham is still unfit.
Clinton Morrison and Stephen Reid have both retained their palces in the senior squad having been promoted from the Under 21s before the match agaisnt Holland earlier this month.
A strained hamstring has ruled out Damien Duff, meaning Niall Quinn, who scored two goals last weekend for Sunderland, may get the chance to renew his partnership with Robbie Keane.
Recent disciplinary problems in England have not cost Richard Dunne or Mark Kennedy their places in the squad.
McCarthy’s team is guaranteed at least a berth place in the play-offs against an as yet unknown Asian nation with the first leg in Dublin on November 10th and the return on November 15th.
"I am not looking any further than this game against Cyprus," said manager Mick McCarthy. "We want to keep on a winning roll after 14 matches unbeaten.
"Who knows what might happen between Portugal and Estonia - although realistically, we will be thinking of the play-offs the following month.
"That's why I want to be certain those players on yellow cards do not pick up any further cautions as they will be vital for the play-offs but I will decide on that closer to the game."
The full squad is:
GoalkeepersGiven (Newcastle Utd), A Kelly (Blackburn), D Kiely (Charlton)
Defenders:
G Breen (Coventry), R Dunne (Man City), I Harte (Leeds Utd), A O'Brien (Newcastle Utd), S Staunton (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: L Carsley (Coventry), Rory Delap (Southampton) S Finnan (Fulham), M Holland (Ipswich), Roy Keane (Man Utd), M Kennedy (Wolves), K Kilbane (Sunderland), J McAteer (Blackburn), S Reid (Millwall).
Forwards:
D Connolly (Wimbledon), Robbie Keane (Leeds Utd), N Quinn (Sunderland), C Morrison (Palace).