THE best laid plans of Mick McCarthy for his second game as Republic of Ireland manager have, predictably, been hit by at spate of withdrawals.

Gary Kelly, Steve Staunton, Tony Cascarino and Jason McAteer were all pulled out of the squad yesterday for next Wednesday's friendly in Prague against the Czech Republic.

Kelly and McAteer have been ruled out with knee injuries, Staunton has been troubled by an ankle injury and Cascarino has been granted permission to withdraw because of commitments with Marseilles.

McCarthy will weigh up his options before confirming any replacements tomorrow. Nor are the amendments likely to end there as there are serious question marks surrounding the availability of Phil Babb, inactive with a foot injury in recent weeks for Liverpool, as well as Denis Irwin, involved in Manchester United's pursuit of the Premiership and the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, John Aldridge, recently appointed player-manager at Tranmere, is to name his own assistant following the news that Ronnie Moore is to leave the club.

Moore, who was number two to previous manager John King for almost a decade and whose highly-rated striker son Ian plays for Tranmere, said: "I'd like to stay but John Aldridge wants a new right-hand man and I can fully understand that."