MICK McCARTHY is to abandon his controversial 5-3-2 system for Wednesday's important World Cup meeting with the Group Eight favourites Romania in Bucharest.

After protesting his faith in the concept of two wing backs deployed on either side of three defenders, in the wake of the controversial defeat by Macedonia, he is now reverting to the idea of two specialist full backs in a 4-4-2 formation.

But he headed off accusations of a volte face with the observation that he is almost certain to revert to his original thinking for the remainder of Ireland's qualifying programme.

"The only danger to that," he said tongue in cheek, "is if we put four or five past the Romanians on Wednesday. Otherwise, we're committed to the system which is now favoured by most countries.

"Seamus McDonagh who has watched Romania for me, was impressed by the way they threw players forward, particularly down the flanks and we have to set out our stall accordingly.

"We have to be prepared to absorb pressure, particularly in the early stages, but the hope is that we, ourselves, will be able to create a few worthwhile chances."

Nor is the gambit of "whacking" the ball forward, still anathema to his philosophy. "There has to be a place for the long, direct ball but I would still expect my defenders to play the ball out of defence. It's a question, really, of combining the best of both styles and being flexible enough to implement it."

The tactical part of the exercise apart, McCarthy had much to occupy his thoughts yesterday as he waited in vain for the word that Liverpool's Phil Babb was ready and able to bail him out of a potentially difficult situation in defence.

Babb, a long way removed this season from the form which once established him among Ireland's most precious assets, is apparently out of contact and despite all efforts to locate him, still hadn't confirmed his availability last evening.

On Saturday evening, he was effectively ruled out hut that was before McCarthy discovered that Richard Dunne, the young Everton defender, had picked up an injury in training. It meant that Dunne spent most of yesterday on the treatment table but he is expected to travel with the squad this morning.

The youngster was one of five players who, for varying reasons, were not required to train in the rain yesterday. Among them was Roy Keane, the Manchester United player, who risks misinterpretation every time he misses a training session.

Keane, in fact, turned up with the remainder of the squad, both on Saturday and again yesterday but because of what was termed a "dead" leg, he was not asked to participate in any of the serious work.

Also relegated to the role of spectator were Terry Phelan and Kenny Cunningham, whose recovery from a back injury, sustained in Wimbledon's defeat by Chelsea last Tuesday, has been a source of some agitation for the Ireland manager.

In accordance with an earlier statement that if he wasn't fit enough to train over the weekend, he wouldn't be fit to travel. Cunningham presented himself at Clonshaugh yesterday morning, only to be advised by Dr Martin Walsh, the team's medical officer, that it would be more prudent to stand and watch.

"Kenny believes that he is perfectly fit and that is good enough for me," said McCarthy. "The muscles in his back are now less sore and with three days to go to the game. I have no real worries about him."

A late arrival at the team's headquarters at Dublin airport yesterday was team captain Andy Townsend who remained behind in Birmingham for treatment by Aston Villa's medical team.

Townsend's problem is thought to be similar to that of Keane and despite the attendant worries, the expectation is that both will be at the heart of the action at Bucharest on Wednesday,