MICK McCARTHY is facing a straight choice between Liverpool's Mark Kennedy and Alan Moore of Middlesbrough as Niall Quinn's strike partner in Prague tomorrow - neither being a recognised marksman.
McCarthy has been confronted with the dilemma after three of his regular forwards were forced to pull out of the friendly against the Czech Republic at the Strahob Stadium due to either club commitments or injury.
Motherwell's Tommy Coyne joined John Aldridge and Tony Cascarino - both required by their clubs, Aldridge in his new role as Tranmere player manager - on the list of absentees because of an ankle problem.
It leaves Anfield reserve winger Kennedy and Middlesbrough midfielder Moore vying for a place alongside Manchester City's Quinn in the front line of a patched up side which could see three players winning their first senior caps.
"We are down to the bare essentials in attack, but both Kennedy and Moore have played there in the past," said McCarthy.
Moore could be joined in making his debut by his Middlesbrough team mate Curtis Fleming at left back, while Wimbledon right back Kenny Cunningham could be brought in for his first appearance at the centre of defence.
With Roy Keane serving a one match ban after being sent off in the last minute of the 2-0 defeat against Russia in Dublin last month, the Irish manager has been robbed of virtually a full team.
Also missing through injury are Alan Kelly (Sheffield United), Gary Kelly (Leeds), Terry Phelan (Chelsea), Steve Staunton (Aston Villa), Keith O'Neill (Norwich), Gareth Farrelly (Aston Villa), Jason McAteer (Liverpool) and Alan McLoughlin (Portsmouth).
McLoughlin was the latest name added to that list, returning home just hours before the squad flew to Prague from London after collecting a hip injury in yesterday's training session. His omission meant a last minute recall for Manchester City centre half Alan Kernaghan.
McCarthy believes the sheer timing of this fixture has led to his ranks being so severely depleted.
"I was talking to Graham Taylor the other day and he pointed out that April was always a difficult month for staging international games because of so many important club matches at that time," said McCarthy.
"This is because there is always the possibility of players picking up injuries and I can only agree with that viewpoint.
"But we still have a lot of experienced players here such as Andy Townsend, Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton, Niall Quinn and Denis Irwin, while the younger lads will be given the chance to show what they can do at this level.
"We have been in situations like this before when I was a player with the Republic and the odds were stacked against us. We surprised a lot of people.
"We won't be sitting back and defending against the Czechs. It's essential that I see how the younger players cope."
The Czechs will be without several key players from top club Slavia Prague because of a rearranged league fixture on Thursday, but still look a formidable outfit.
They will be looking for a decent performance to put them in good heart for the European Championship finals, in which they will meet Germany, Italy and Russia at Old Trafford and Anfield during the opening phase.
McCarthy, who knows the Czechs must not he underestimated having topped their qualifying group with victories over Holland and Norway, is using the match as another stepping stone towards the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign in Liechtenstein on August 31st.
"After this game, we still have six friendly matches before the end of the season against Portugal and Croatia in Dublin, Holland in Amsterdam and the American tour with games against the United States, Mexico and Bolivia," said McCarthy.
"By that time I hope to have a settled line up for our opening World Cup qualifier in Liechtenstein."
