There were no great surprises yesterday as Mick McCarthy named his 22-man panel for next week's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. The inclusion of Steve Carr, Mark Kennedy and Niall Quinn represent the only significant changes from the travelling party to Cyprus and Barcelona.
Quinn's inclusion comes quicker than the player himself had indicated or expected. The Sunderland striker remarked last month that he hoped to be fit in time to play some part in the vital clash with Portugal in Dublin at the start of June.
But McCarthy admitted yesterday he is not yet banking on the striker's availability, pointing out that the 34-year-old must first come through a derby game against Newcastle at the weekend if he is to be released by his club for international duty.
"I'm sure that will be a no-holds-barred affair," said the Ireland manager, "but the important thing at the moment is that Niall says that he is feeling okay and so with a bit of luck we'll have him back with us after the weekend."
Should Quinn join up with the rest of the squad, next Wednesday's game would appear to represent a clear opportunity for the Dubliner to break the 20-goal Irish international scoring record he currently shares with Frank Stapleton.
Carr's return is timely in that it coincides with the loss of Gary Kelly through injury although McCarthy was quick to point out that among the pair's regular comings and goings Steve Finnan has some reason to feel disappointed he has not received more of a look-in.
"He's had a superb season at Fulham and I know that he wouldn't have let anybody down if he had played in any of our recent games but having said that I'm not complaining about having somebody like Steve back available again."
As for Kennedy's return, McCarthy insisted that the winger would have returned to the scene a lot sooner but for a couple of injuries that have limited his first-team opportunities with Manchester City.
"I suppose it's to be expected that everybody will ask about him but, to be honest, as far as I'm concerned the whole incident was closed a long time ago. His punishment was done and dealt with immediately afterwards and so as far as I'm concerned now he's a player who is capable behind defences and of creating chances so I'm very glad that he's fit for selection again."
McCarthy, meanwhile, again refused to rule out the possibility he might rest key players like Robbie and Roy Keane, as well as Kenny Cunningham, who are currently on a yellow card and would miss the Portugal game should they pick up another caution.
"I know what I'm going to do myself but it's not something I'm going to get into until I sit down and meet with the players."
SQUAD: Given (Newcastle United), Kelly (Blackburn Rovers), Colgan (Hibernian), Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Cunningham (Wimbledon), Dunne (Manchester City), Breen (Coventry City), Harte (Leeds United), Staunton (Aston Villa), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Kinsella (Charlton Athletic), Carsley (Coventry City), McAteer (Blackburn Rovers), Holland (Ipswich Town), Kilbane (Sunderland), Finnan (Fulham), Delap (Derby County), Kennedy (Manchester City), Quinn (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Leeds United), Connolly (Feyenoord).
