Backs to the wall when Dutch come calling

The timing of Ireland's latest spate of injuries is cruel. The configuration of the full back line for this evening's friendly against Croatia is fine for a friendly but one shudders to think of that combination facing the pace and nous of Kluivert, van Nistelrooy, Overmars and Hasselbaink in a game the Dutch have to win.

I don't want to sound unnecessarily pessimistic but if Mick McCarthy is forced to line out with that back four, it will make for a bleak situation. "Stan" Staunton has been a magnificent servant for Ireland and three years ago, you would have felt he would have the measure of such a task.

And Richard Dunne has also coped admirably in the hothouses of Amsterdam and Lisbon but is still quite raw and not very quick. We really need Kenny Cunningham back, even allowing for his lack of match practice.

The availability of our key players for the Holland match - the most important Irish international game for years - will preoccupy everyone at Lansdowne Road this evening.

Croatia are good opponents to face in what is really an exercise in acquaintance renewal. The game is for practising set-pieces, free-kicks and generally having a run out together.

Hopefully, the debut players will play well and we will win comfortably but I don't think losing this one would be of any great consequence. The magnitude of the Holland game looms large.

There may be calls to have Roy Keane drop back to protect the defence if we are under-strength but such is the quality of the Dutch midfield Keane is essentially indispensable as far as that area goes.

We will need him to assert himself and try and win ball and protect our defence. With Kinsella gone, his influence around the middle of the park becomes more important that ever.

Nice to see Steven Reid get a run. Reports about him have been glowing. I don't think he will feature on September 1st but it is great to see new options coming through. A positive night from Lee Carsley would be reassuring, given Mark Kinsella's absence.

I think Clinton Morrison can do a job for us and his emergence now that Niall is coming to the end is welcome. He is quick, not shy - the phrase "belief in my own ability" could be in brackets after his name - and there is nothing wrong with that.

He could mix well with Robbie Keane and gives us a fresh option, despite being very inexperienced at this level.

We absolutely cannot afford to lose any more personnel over the coming fortnight. Regrettable as Steve Carr's absence is, Gary Kelly compensates and Ian Harte has made the left back berth is own. The return of Cunningham would bring inestimable balance. Finally, it would be desirable to see the ball running for Robbie Keane tonight.

Maybe the youngster has been trying too hard in recent internationals but a return to the form he demonstrated in the build up to our last match against Holland would certainly be timely.

Ireland are always good value at home and Croatia should find them the same tonight. Whatever happens, though, everyone will leave Lansdowne Road talking of the date that lies ahead.