Richard Dunne, the Everton defender, will be assigned an important role when the under-21 team seeks to set the standards for the senior side against Yugoslavia at 12.30 p.m. (Irish time) in Smederevo today.
Dunne has been brought into the side to provide extra strength at the back in a selection which is primarily constructed to contain.
It is a welcome change of fortune for a player who after making a significant impact in his infrequent first-team starts for Everton last season, now finds himself largely ignored by the new regime at Goodison Park.
There is ample incentive, too, for Cork City's Derek Coughlan, who, in the absence of the injured Colin Hawkins, gets the chance to build on his substantial early-season achievements at club level.
Another player with much to prove is Middlesborough's Stephen Baker who is now preferred to Daryl Clare of Grimsby Town as leader of the attack.
"Daryl has done brilliantly for us, but for this particular game, different priorities were needed," said manager Ian Evans.
Dave Worrell of Blackburn will be required to take much of the pressure and in midfield Evans will be looking for big contributions from Alan Mahon and Kevin Kilbane.
Ireland: A O'Reilly (West Ham), D Boxall (Brentford), R Ryan (Millwall), D Worrell (Blackburn), D Coughlan (Cork City), R Dunne (Everton), T Morgan (St Patrick's Ath), A Mahon (Tranmere), A Lee (Aston Villa), S Baker (Middlesbrough), K Kilbane (West Brom).
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