Sized up and seized up: Staunton's options

On the way out? Matt Holland: Suggested early on in the last campaign that it would be his last but has remained quiet on the topic more recently.

Now 31, he is known to dislike spending time away from his family and was annoyed not to play after travelling a couple of times last year. One match away from his 50th cap, though, he is likely to hang around at least long enough to figure out where he is in the new manager's pecking order.

Gary Breen

Lost his status as an automatic choice early on under Brian Kerr and seems unlikely to win it back now. The Sunderland defender showed considerable loyalty over the past couple of years, however, travelling whenever possible and providing valuable cover. Staunton will want to keep him on board and there have been no suggestions so far that he will not be able to do so.

Graham Kavanagh

Like Breen, the Dubliner is 32 now but he is anxious to make up for lost time on the international front and determined to play on at the highest level for as long as possible . . . all of which suggests he'll be sticking around.

On the way up?

Aiden McGeady

It's been a case of two steps forward, one step back for the Scottish-born forward at Celtic but his recent form has been strong and he is likely to move up the pecking order over the course of the coming campaign.

Stephen Ireland

The Manchester City midfielder has made dramatic progress at club level in recent months, not just playing regularly but looking, on more than one occasion, to be the team's best player. It is worth remembering, however, that he is no further on now than Liam Miller and Colin Healy were a couple of years ago. Since then both have taken major steps backwards but he is well placed, nevertheless, to win favour from Staunton.

Joey O'Brien

Playmaking midfielder from Dublin who has grown up fast in the rough and tumble of the Bolton squad to establish himself as a first-team regular. Going on 20, he is already an experienced under-21 international and is looking increasingly ready to make the step up to the senior team.

Kevin Doyle

Has done tremendously well at Reading since moving from Cork City last summer and, barring disaster, should be playing Premiership football from the start of next season. If he can make that progression successfully then he could quickly make the breakthrough for Ireland too.

Kevin Foley

The Luton right back has many admirers with Don Givens tipping him to make it big while Charlton and West Ham have both shown an interest in signing him. Could leapfrog Stephen Kelly if the Spurs player doesn't start getting more games to benefit from the thinning of options in the wide defensive positions over the past couple of years.

On the way in?

Liam Lawrence

The 24-year-old Sunderland midfielder may have caught the new manager's eye with his goal against Chelsea last Sunday and has made it clear that he is keen to play for Ireland. A decent prospect who is unlikely to be turned away.

Shane Lowry

Aston Villa's 16-year-old is Australian-born to Dublin parents and has worked closely in recent times with new Ireland coach Kevin MacDonald, who has been dispatched this week to recruit him. Described by Ireland under-19 manager Sean McCaffrey as "a solid left-footed defender who reads the game well but is a little short of pace". It's not hard to see why Staunton might have a soft spot for him.

Lee Trundle

A regular scorer, not to mention a cult figure, at Swansea City and Staunton has said he will check him out but the 29-year-old has never played at a high level and it is doubtful whether he could make an impact at international level.

Dave Kitson, Mark Noble, Gary McSheffrey

All have been mentioned this week in relation to opting for the Republic of Ireland but the former two have made it clear they have no interest while McSheffrey, who does, can't because he played competitively for England nearly seven years ago and is now over 21.

On the way back?

Dean Kiely

Has a had a rough time at Charlton Athletic recently and could well leave the London club before the January transfer window shuts as a result of losing his place and falling out with manager Alan Curbishley. Not an ideal time, then, to reconsider his decision to pack in international football and would be unlikely to do so in any case given that he would still be number two to Shay Given.

Gary Kelly

Having taken Mick McCarthy's demise badly, the Leeds United defender might well be persuadable now that Staunton, who publicly supported the former manager in Saipan, has taken over. His experience would be useful although his club form would suggest he is not the player he was.

Stephen Carr

Caused some exasperation by retiring while still in his 20s recently but the Dubliner is rather, well, strong willed, and is unlikely to reconsider.

Roy Keane

Speaking of strong willed . . . the veteran midfielder is expected to concentrate on his club career with Celtic, a preference that is unlikely to have been changed by Staunton's appointment.

Mark Kennedy

Never actually retired but the Dubliner hasn't played for his country for four years. Could start to figure again, at least in the new manager's squads.

Lost along the way . . .

Anton Ferdinand

The West Ham United defender was, like his brother Rio of Manchester United, entitled to play for the Republic of Ireland but is now firmly committed to England having played 10 times for Peter Taylor's under-21 side.

Zat Knight

The 25 year-old's expression of interest in playing for Ireland at a time when England appeared to have no interest was far too begrudging for Brian Kerr, who never pursued the matter. Knight, 6ft 5in (196cm), is somewhat erratic but would, nevertheless, have added more than just height to the Irish squad had he not since been capped in a couple of England friendlies.

Kevin Nolan

Kerr's failure to engage seriously with the Bolton midfielder was more surprising and, perhaps, costly. A decent footballer who gets his share of goals from midfield, Nolan appeared to be there for the taking while Fifa's amnesty allowed him to renege on his previous commitment to England but it's long since over and so he is no longer a possibility for Ireland.