It is fair to say that tonight's fixture against Denmark and next month's against the United States won't impact hugely on the composition of Mick McCarthy's squad for the World Cup in Japan and Korea this summer.

Playing matches is always better than training, but the result of this match is largely irrelevant when taken in a World Cup context. You always want to win any match but you cannot place too much store on the outcome of a friendly at this stage of the season.

The match offers an opportunity for the FAI to make some money, and for supporters there is the chance to cheer on the team in a pressureless environment. These fixtures are pencilled into the international calendar and are generally viewed as a necessary evil by international managers. It is the same with all the friendly fixtures taking place this month and next.

In terms of most of the other European squads, Mick is probably in the fortunate position of not only knowing the 23 players he's going to take to the World Cup but also his best starting 11. Denmark, who also have a small pool of players from which to draw, would be in a similar position.

The game does give McCarthy the opportunity to look at a couple of individuals and also a few combinations. Dean Kiely's opportunities have been limited by injury, to some extent, but primarily because of the excellent form of Shay Given and Alan Kelly. Kiely will enjoy the chance to start and remind Mick of his quality.

The pairing of Kenny Cunningham and Steve Staunton at the heart of the defence could be a forerunner of things to come: they could start Ireland's opening match in the World Cup finals. It is therefore a useful exercise for them to play together as often as possible.

The uncertainty that surrounds the fitness of Stephen Carr and the fact that he must now be considered very doubtful to make the trip to the World Cup given his continuing injury problems offers an opening for the other full backs.

I don't think Roy Keane would have played even if he had been available. It's no harm that Matt Holland and Mark Kinsella renew their midfield alliance: you never know when you could ship an injury and it's all useful to have tried and trusted alternatives.

Keane's current injury problems might be a blessing as far as Ireland are concerned. If he was to be sidelined for another couple of weeks then he would approach the end of the season with a little less wear and tear. Keane and Niall Quinn would be the biggest concerns in terms of injury.

In Quinn's case there isn't anyone available who can play that kind of role for the team. It's important to see Clinton Morrison get a chance to start a match. He's young, raw, aggressive and a goal scorer and games like these are beneficial to his development.

It's natural for the players to have other things on their mind, like Champions League and club commitments, but in coming together this week then can leave those sort of pressures behind.

You can expect Mick to emphasise to the players that he hasn't fully decided the composition of the World Cup squad and that he can still be influenced by playing performances. It's an obvious motivating tool.

The condition of the Lansdowne Road surface must be a concern. It would be very difficult for Mick to have to face a club manager if a player was to twist an ankle because of a bumpy pitch. The players will be sensible about this and you won't see too many flying into 50-50 tackles.

It might not trouble the Guinness Book of Records for most substitutions in a match but a good few of the starting team will see no more action than the first 45 minutes. This allows Mick the chance to keep all the players in the squad both happy and involved.

Denmark are a bright side who play decent football and will view the game for what it is; a friendly international in March that will have no bearing on more important events that take place this summer.

In an interview with John O'Sullivan