Should they stay, or should they go . . .

Andy Lonergan's form for Preston this year has him being linked with a move to an English Premier League side. If the goalkeeper does declare for the Republic of Ireland, then Giovanni Trapattoni will add him to the list of players whose movements he will keep a keen eye on. Here are some others.

Kevin Doyle(Reading)

The 25-year-old has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on an offer of at least €7.5 million, and on that money he looks an attractive buy.

Chelsea expressed an interest at one stage, Martin O’Neill looked set to bring him to Aston Villa a year ago, and there should be no shortage of suitors during the next couple of months.

Damien Duff

(Newcastle United)

The former Blackburn and Chelsea winger reminded us all of just how important he can be to Ireland’s cause with his performance on Saturday night, and in that sort of form he will be wasted in the Championship.

The Dubliner is loyal and may feel he owes the club after a season in which he and many other well-paid stars failed to produce the goods, but United could probably do with saving his €80,000 weekly wage, while he could do with staying on in the Premier League.

So, if his salary doesn’t end up being a major obstacle, a move might suit all concerned.

Stephen Hunt(Reading)

The midfielder has almost gone a couple of times, with Sunderland, Everton and Wigan among the clubs to have made offers for him.

Steve Coppell was keen to hold on to him, and though he has a €5.75 million exit clause in his contract, the club’s former manager apparently managed to get around it at one stage on the basis of the timing of the proposed payments.

Brendan Rodgers is likely to want to keep him, but Hunt’s desire to get back to the top-flight is likely to prove too great.

Caleb Folan(Hull City)

The striker underlined again in Sofia just how useful an addition he is to the Ireland set-up, and it’s hard to see on the basis of his performance against the Bulgarians just how it is that he gets so little first-team football at Hull City.

Trapattoni likes to talk up the positive influence he has had on some other squad members’ club careers, though, and the recent international breakthrough might just boost Folan’s too.

Darron Gibson(Manchester Utd)

The 21-year-old remains a major prospect and, while he has slipped behind Keith Andrews in the international pecking order for the moment, he still looks set to be a significant presence in the Ireland squad over the coming years.

He is out of contract at United this summer, though, and, if he is not reckoned to be a future first-teamer there, then he may need to get away.

Steve Finnan(Espanyol)

The move to Spain hasn’t gone well for the former Liverpool right back with recurring injuries severely limiting his opportunities during a very difficult season for the city of Barcelona’s second side.

First and foremost, the 33-year-old needs to regain his fitness, but after a couple of potential moves back to the English Premier League fell through in January he will be hoping for renewed interest now.

Paul McShane(Sunderland)

It’s been a difficult season for the young defender who has perhaps been a victim of the enormous expectations he created for himself when he burst on to the scene with his debut against the Czech Republic towards the end of 2006.

If Steve Bruce rates him then there may be a future for him at Sunderland. Otherwise, Trapattoni will want him to go somewhere where he will play.