Team News: Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will put the finishing touches to his preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign in Norway tomorrow night.
The Italian will field as strong a team as he possibly can at the Ullevaal Stadium as he looks towards next month's tricky double-header against Georgia and Montenegro on the road.
Trapattoni blooded several younger players during the Republic's post-season trip to Portugal and in the subsequent friendlies against Serbia and Colombia as injuries and unavailability limited his options.
However, vastly-experienced keeper Shay Given, full-back Steve Finnan, who has come out of international retirement at the manager's request, and the fit-again Kevin Kilbane will all start, while a late decision will be taken on midfielder Steven Reid as he attempts to shake off a knee problem.
Trapattoni was coy when asked how close his selection in Oslo will be to the side which faces Georgia - wherever that game is played - but said: "It is important for me to test players like Finnan, Kilbane, Given and Steven Reid.
"I have already said these players are very important for us because they have experience, international experience. They give us more safety in games.
"But I know already players like (Liam) Miller, in the last game against Colombia, (Damien) Delaney, and we have not forgotten (the injured) Paul McShane.
"But at the moment, I am happy with the squad because the last time, we had only 13 players; today we have 22, who are very, very strong.
"We have to believe we have a strong team like others who have stars - Italy, Spain, England."
Reid trained twice today after sitting out last night's session at the Bislett Stadium, but Miller is standing by if he does not make it with Stoke's Glenn Whelan set to occupy the other central midfield berth.
Skipper Robbie Keane believes the current squad is as strong as any the Republic have managed to field in the last five years, and is hoping that will provide a solid foundation for a successful qualifying campaign.
The Liverpool player said: "It is certainly up there. We have had strong squads over the years, but at the moment, it is probably as strong as it has been in the last four or five years, definitely.
"If you look around the players we have and the experience now a lot of players have of playing in the Premier League, which is always great, in the last four of five years, it has certainly got a lot stronger."
Asked about their chances of qualification, Keane said: "We have got a chance. It is a tough group, there's no question, but we have as much of a chance as everyone else.
"We will take each game as it comes. We will wait for the next couple of games and see what happens, but we will certainly have a chance, like everyone else has."
Keane has found himself engulfed by a whirlwind in recent weeks following his big money move to Anfield, but is confident he will take it all in his stride.
He said: "I'm very excited. I am excited about playing games, which every player wants to do.
"I love playing. I love playing for my country - and I am looking forward to the two games coming up - and also for Liverpool.
"But when I am with Liverpool, I will concentrate on doing what I do for Liverpool; when I am with the Irish team, I will concentrate on doing what I do for Ireland.
"They are two separate issues. I am with Ireland at the moment, so I will concentrate on that."
Republic of Ireland (v Norway):
Shay Given; Steve Finnan, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane; Damien Duff, Steven Reid/Liam Miller, Glenn Whelan, Aidan McGeady; Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane
Fixture:
Norway v Republic of Ireland
Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo
Kick-off: 6.00 pm (Irish time).
(Live on Setanta 2)
