Dundalk keeper Gary Rogers may get chance against Holland

John O'Shea will start tomorrow night's game against the Netherlands while Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers is in contention to make the bench after impressing Ireland manager Martin O'Neill in training.

James McCarthy is out of the game as he continues to nurse an ongoing groin problem while Ciaran Clark is said to need "another few days," as he looks to shake off what is believed to be a fairly minor Achilles problem.

O’Neill said that he believes that O’Shea will benefit from the run out against the Dutch after losing his place at Sunderland over the final weeks of the season.

He also said that the rest of the starting line up will be a mix of regulars and players who still need to impress if they are to make the place for France.

“I think it’s a combination of things,” he said. “And players who haven’t played in a while is one. If the players think they have the opportunity to go on to the field and make an impression then I think they’ll want to avail of that.

“I think that I will naturally get a better idea (of where we stand) when the game has been played. I think that will be a natural desire on the part of the players to impress but the best way to do that is to do the things that you’re naturally good at and I think that’s what the players are trying to do.”

Asked about the Dutch, who find themselves in the disappointing position of providing warm up opponents to teams going to the European Championships when they are not themselves going, O’Neill said that he believed they will still provide and extremely useful test for the home side.

“The opposition will be very tough for us,” he said. “They’ll really stretch us, they’ll cause us problems. Our job is to cause them a few but it’s a really great game for us. I’d like us to use the ball well and even though it’s a friendly game I’d like to win the game and keep spirits as high as they are.”