The Republic of Ireland will play a friendly international against Turkey at Lansdowne Road in September in what will be manager Brian Kerr's final preparation game for the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier with Switzerland.
Ireland face Russia in the penultimate qualifier on September 6th, three days before the clash with Turkey.
A favourable result against Russia would see the Republic go into the final game with Switzerland in Basel on October 11th knowing that a good result would see Kerr's team top Group 10 and qualify automatically for next year's European Championship finals in Portugal.
The Turkey game takes place on a Tuesday, just 24 hours before the Russia versus Switzerland tie on September 10th which will have an important bearing on Irish qualification hopes.
But Turkey will prove difficult opponents as they finished third in last year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea and have looked strong in qualification for the European Championships where they currently top Group Seven, two points ahead of England.
Ireland have traditionally had the upper hand against the Turks, having lost just once in 11 meetings.
But Turkey were celebrating after the last clash between the two nations as they beat Ireland on the away goal rule in the Euro 2000 play-offs.
The first leg at Lansdowne Road ended 1-1 - Robbie Keane scoring Ireland's goal - and the return leg in Bursa finishing scoreless with the Turks advancing to the finals in Belgium and Holland.