SOCCER INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY:BLACKBURN ROVERS' Keith Andrews looked to be the big winner on day two of the Republic of Ireland's B squad's preparations for this evening's challenge match against Nottingham Forest at Dalymount Park with the 28-year-old doing enough in training yesterday to earn not just praise from Giovanni Trapattoni but also a place in his starting line-up.
While Andrews made the cut, Martin Rowlands, Anthony Stokes and Owen Garvan have all been consigned to the bench although Trapattoni insisted, in contrast to the approach he has adopted with the first team, he will look to give everyone a run-out over the course of tonight's game.
Forest arrive in town having taken just five points from their first 10 Championship games and Colin Calderwood will use the game to give Paul Anderson and Joe Garner some playing time as the pair work their way back towards full fitness after lay-offs with groin and knee ligament injuries respectively.
He will presumably also be hoping for the sort of performance that might restore some confidence to a side that has avoided defeat in just one of its last eight games.
Despite the visitors' rather miserable form, however, Trapattoni insisted yesterday that he is excited by the prospect of seeing so many of his peripheral players in action and optimistic about the challenge that Forest will provide for them.
"It will be a difficult game," said the Italian. "Sure, it's only a friendly but really, there are no friendly games these days and they will want to win for their own reasons.
"It's been good for me already," he added, "because now I know players like (Caleb) Folan, (Keith) Andrews, (Darron) Gibson and (Anthony) Stokes a little bit better."
He went on to single out the Blackburn midfielder out for particular praise, suggesting he had a good "mentality", which seems, in the veteran Italian's view, to be the most glowing of tributes imaginable.
He backed it up by naming Andrews in the starting line-up for this evening's game at the expense of Rowlands who, after missing out on the opportunity to start against Serbia back in May because of injury, had been hoping for the chance to impress on this occasion.
"It was very frustrating," the QPR midfielder recalled on Monday. "Obviously I picked up an injury on the Thursday before the Serbia game.
"But that's gone now, you've got to move on. Injuries do happen, but although that was unlucky, hopefully I can impress this time and stake a claim."
The inspiration not only for Rowlands but for many others in this squad is the success in recent months of Glenn Whelan who caught the Italian's eye early in his reign and has quickly come to be regarded as a regular in the team.
"Glenn came in and he did tremendously well," says Rowland, "What it's shown is that he (Trapattoni) is not afraid to give people a chance. And if they're doing well and playing well, he's happy to stick with them."
Folan, meanwhile, sat out the latter part of yesterday's training session with a groin strain but Trapattoni insists he will be fit enough to start alongside Shane Long in attack.
Celtic's Darren O'Dea, along with Stephen Ward, Andy Keogh and Darren Potter, all of Wolves, are also included in a side that will be captained by Ipswich Town's Alex Bruce.
THE PLAYERS
Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town)
Age: 24. Position: Central defender.
Son of Steve. Started his career at Manchester United, then Blackburn and had loan spells at a number of clubs before arriving at Ipswich a couple of years back. Made his senior international debut in the US last year.
Andy Keogh (Wolverhampton)
Age: 22. Position: Winger/Striker.
Well regarded right-sided attacking player who has featured fairly regularly in and around the senior team since making his debut in America last year. Trapattoni clearly likes him and he continues to make progress.
Kevin Foley (Wolverhampton)
Age: 23. Position: Right back.
Made his name with Luton before moving to Wolves in August of last year. Has settled well, becoming a firm favourite of Mick McCarthy. Has also been hovering on the periphery of the senior squad for some time now.
Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United)
Age: 27. Position: Goalkeeper.
Former Tranmere, West Brom and Walsall player who made the League One team of the year at the end of the 2006/07 season thanks to his cool head and impressive form. Now a regular at Scunthorpe.
Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton)
Age: 23. Position: Left back.
Former Bohemians player whose versatility has helped him to make an impressive impact at Molineux. Played as a winger or striker for the Dubliners, but has mainly played - to some acclaim - as a left back in England.
Caleb Folan (Hull City)
Age: 25. Position: Striker.
Having made his name as a key figure in Chesterfield's giant-killing exploits a few years back, Folan moved onwards and upwards, firstly to Wigan and then to Hull City where he regularly features from the bench.
Keith Andrews (Blackburn Rovers)
Age: 28. Position: Central midfield.
It's more than eight years since Andrews made his debut for Wolves and, by the end of the following season, he was, at 21, the club's youngest captain in 100 years. Has made four top-flight appearances in recent weeks.
Shane Long (Reading)
Age: 21. Position: Striker.
Moved from Cork City to Reading at the same time as Kevin Doyle. Most of Long's appearances for the club come from the bench, but he has been moving steadily forward and has earned eight senior caps along the way.
Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City)
Age: 26. Position: Winger.
Hoolahan won three league titles with Shelbourne before heading off to Livingston. After a spell with Blackpool he moved on to Norwich. A skilful player who made his senior debut against Colombia earlier this year.
Darren O'Dea (Celtic)
Age: 21. Position: Central defender.
Capable-looking defender who looked to be on the fast track to success after breaking into the Celtic team couple of years ago. Has struggled since, though, and has found first-team football hard to come by of late.
Darren Potter (Wolverhampton)
Age: 23. Position: Central midfield.
Former Liverpool player who featured in the successful Champions League campaign four seasons ago only to be sidelined as the team progressed towards their famous fightback in Istanbul. A good passer of the ball.
