Tonight's international against Italy at Lansdowne Road is a classic example of the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" conundrums occasionally thrown up in international soccer. Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr was probably looking forward to this match when the fixture was first penned but given injuries suffered by some of his leading players and niggles affecting others he won't be as chipper.

In the context of having a full side and playing against high-pedigree opposition, this game could have served as a decent dress rehearsal for Ireland's forthcoming crucial World Cup match against France at Lansdowne Road.

The absence of the two Keanes, Roy and Robbie, and minor injury niggles that are affecting other players, have taken a little gloss off the occasion. Kerr, though, will probably make a pact with his senior internationals: play 45 minutes to an hour and then you'll be replaced.

There is little doubt that Italy will embrace the match in similar fashion.

They are looking ahead to their own World Cup fixtures and one in particular, against Scotland. They will see this game against Ireland as ideal preparation against a team that plays much the same way as the Scots. The Italians will field their strongest line-up at the start - their three missing players notwithstanding - and gradually withdraw them after the interval.

One thing that this fixture will provide for Kerr is the chance to put in some decent work on the training ground, focusing on set pieces and team patterns while at the same time doing a little of the groundwork for the French match. There are always organisational issues that need addressing or tweaking.

The match shouldn't reveal anything the Irish manager doesn't already know. Stephen Elliott will get a start and while he represents a player of potential he's not yet near the level of being able to start the game against France. He's still got plenty to learn and tonight's match should further his education given that he'll be up against a couple of the top defenders in world football.

Even though the players won't be told it in so many words, their respective club managers will go bonkers if any of them get injured and can't play at the weekend.

Whoever plays tonight, at the weekend and again midweek will have played four matches in 12 days, which for this stage of the season is a heavy enough workload.

It's interesting to note Jose Mourinho's comments with regard to Chelsea's less-than-convincing performance against Wigan. He is reported to be considering retaining Sean Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole and Hernan Crespo, all of whom came on at the weekend, for the next match.

It's unlikely Damien Duff is having to endure too many sleepless nights as a result. Mourinho has just handed out a verbal rocket and it'd be no surprise to see Duff tear into the Italians for 45 minutes. He's always responded well when faced with the highest quality opposition. Playing with Ireland will also allow him to get on the ball a little more going forward, with a little less emphasis on slavishly tracking back.

At this stage of the season, and with World Cup matches on the horizon, no player wants to get injured, but that doesn't mean approaching games like tonight's with a wishy-washy attitude. If you don't approach it properly then you risk picking up a knock, a fact with which the players will be well acquainted.

In the old days there was fantastic prestige attached to games like this but that's no longer the case. It is a sign of the times. Look at players like Paul Scholes and Alan Shearer - Alan Smith turned down the opportunity to play for England against Denmark tonight in favour of lining out with Manchester United's reserves - who ended their international careers to protect their club ones.

It can guarantee a little more longevity and at £30,000 to £40,000 a week that can amount to a £2-million bonus in just one year.

You could never accuse Irish players of going through the motions. It won't be blood and guts tonight but there will be pride involved. Kerr has built up an impressive list of results at home and he won't want to suffer a blight on that record.