MICK McCARTHY was still hedging his bets yesterday as he contemplated a substantial exercise in improvisation for tomorrow's World Cup meeting with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at Lansdowne Road.
Adhering to his original decision to delay his team selection until tomorrow morning he refused to be drawn on how he proposes to replace the injured trio of Roy Keane, Ray Houghton and Niall Quinn.
Yet, there was, perhaps, an inkling of impending surprise when he hinted that some players may be asked to undertake new roles in the broad format of the 3-5-2 system which he has deployed since coming to power.
"There are a few thoughts tossing about in my mind as to how to line out the team and it may be that some players will be in positions different to the ones they occupied last time out.
"It will not alter the basic structure of the team and the players involved are sufficiently adaptable to be able to handle the new responsibilities if asked."
In the sense that Keane has been missing since the game against Russia in March, his latest defection will not now impose unduly on McCarthy's plans.
More urgent, by far, is the challenge of replacing Houghton and Quinn who, between them established the bridge to success in Liechtenstein five weeks ago. The consensus is that Jason McAteer may now be shunted forward to take Houghton's place in central midfield, leaving Denis Irwin and Jeff Kenna as the prime candidates for the right sided wing back position.
Under limited pressure, Irwin adjusted well when required to join Gary Breen and Steve Staunton in the back three in Vaduz but one suspects that the priorities will be different this time when Macedonia will surely ask more pertinent questions of the new formation.
Kenna was not unhappy with his performance in the opening World Cup game but by moving Irwin back to his original position, the manager would have the option of recalling Phil Babb after his unexpected demotion in Vaduz.
Gary Breen, who replaced Babb for the first game of the season, again missed training yesterday because of a sore shin and the likelihood is that he will be required to prove his fitness in a full session before the team is announced.
Alan Moore, the Middlesbrough midfielder, was added to the casualty list after going over on an ankle in training but like Breen, he is optimistic about his chances of recovering in time.
Curtis Fleming, whose primary role, like that of Moore, is to provide cover, returned to Middlesbrough yesterday after being informed that his wife, who is expecting their first baby, had gone into labour.
He plans to rejoin the squad later today, in time to participate in the final training session.
The problem of replacing Quinn is clouded by the fact that Tony Cascarino missed eight days training at Marseilles because of calf muscle trouble. In McCarthy's estimation, Cascarino's fitness is not at risk but it will still be interesting to note his choice of the two front players.
Traditionally, Ireland has always gone with a big man in attack and while priorities have been adjusted in the new match plan, there is nothing to suggest that anything of significance has changed.
Cascarino, anxious for the chance to re establish himself as a first choice player, has seldom been found wanting in application: yet, it remains to be seen how his claims are evaluated when set against those of Keith O'Neill and John Aldridge.
O'Neill's outstanding record of four goals in seven games cannot be lightly dismissed and while McCarthy values experience as an important element of successful World Cup competition, it may be that Aldridge will have to content himself with a place among the substitutes on this occasion.
