Midfielder Mark Kinsella will stand in for injured captain Roy Keane when Ireland face Iran in the second leg of their World Cup playoff, manager Mick McCarthy said today.
Keane was ruled out yesterday by a longstanding knee problem which flared up in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 first leg win over Iran at Lansdowne Road.
The Manchester United skipper could also be facing a prolonged absence from the English champions.
Kinsella, who plays for Charlton Athletic, had been widely tipped to get the nod if Keane failed to make Thursday's game in Tehran.
McCarthy told Sky Sports: "Mark Kinsella has played most of the campaign anyway. Him and Matty Holland have played exceptionally well together.
"In that respect it is less of blow when you've got players like that to come in."
Steve Staunton could be handed the captain's armband, assuming he overcomes a hamstring tweak, while Niall Quinn is another bidding to reach match fitness.
As for Staunton, McCarthy reported: "(He) says he feels a lot better this morning. With Quinny it's an on-going thing, so we'll just have to see how it goes.
"They will have plenty of treatment but I expect them to play."
Despite their two-goal cushion in the Europe/Asia playoff, McCarthy said Ireland would be looking to add an away goal as they bid to reach next year's finals in Japan and South Korea.