Matt Holland's impressive start to the season with Ipswich Town was rewarded yesterday when he was confirmed as the replacement for Roy Keane in the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's Euro 2000 game in Macedonia.

Faced with the credible alternative of summoning Derby County's Rory Delap, Mick McCarthy has opted for Holland on the basis that his style conforms more closely to that of the missing Manchester United captain.

"Obviously, it's misleading to suggest that any of our midfielders can compensate fully for Roy's absence - there are very few in Europe who can do the kind of job he does for Manchester United and Ireland.

"But he's the same kind of box-to-box player and any time I've been to watch him, he has impressed me with his enormous work rate. And the fact that he is a versatile lad who can do a number of jobs, is an added bonus."

Holland, who spent almost three seasons at West West Ham without ever breaking into the first team, later moved to Bournemouth. Since joining Ipswich in a £800,000 deal in July 1997 he hasn't missed a game for the club.

He was called in as a late replacement for the Euro 2000 games in Croatia and Malta.

Primarily, Holland is required as cover in Skopje with Keane's place in the starting line-up almost certain to go to Blackburn's Lee Carsley. McCarthy dismissed fitness fears about Gary Breen who didn't figure in Coventry City's squad for last Saturday's 1-0 win over West Ham.