Cox in line for senior debut

CARLING NATIONS CUP:GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI did his best to name his starting line-up for tonight's encounter with Northern Ireland, but he was unsure of what he might do in a couple of specific positions due to doubts about the fitness of Liam Lawrence and Keith Fahey and so he went to the trouble of naming alternatives.

More generally, though, he admitted to simply not being entirely sure how many players will have arrived prior to kick-off time tonight.

“Up until now I do not know which squad I will have,” he said before adding with a smile; “just like the Irish weather, it’s unpredictable.”

Only about 10 outfield players plus two goalkeepers trained at 4pm in Malahide yesterday with another couple due to have arrived last night and a handful more this morning. Richard Dunne’s withdrawal due to Achilles and shoulder problems was the only confirmed news.

If he’s right then West Brom’s Simon Cox will make his senior debut up front alongside Robbie Keane while Keith Andrews will get the opportunity to make his case for a spot back in central midfield for the game in Macedonia next week and Shay Given will get some much needed game time.

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington will hand a first cap to young Josh Carson of Ipswich and probably one or two others over the course of an evening in which he too has a much depleted squad to work with.

Republic of Ireland V Northern Ireland:Tonight: Kick-off 7.45pm. Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin. TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 Highlights on RTÉ 2 (10.50pm) BBC 2 NI (11.20pm).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:Given (Manchester City); McShane (Hull City), Kelly (Fulham), Delaney (Ipswich Town), Wilson (Stoke City); Coleman (Everton) or Lawrence (Portsmouth), Fahey (Birmingham City) or Foley (Wolves), Andrews (Blackburn), Treacy (Preston North End); Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Cox (West Brom).

NORTHERN IRELAND:Blayney (Linfield); Thompson (Watford), Hodson (Watford), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (West Brom), Clingan (Coventry City), Davis (Rangers), Carson (Ipswich Town), Gorman (Wolves), Feeney (Oldham Athletic), McQuaid (Millwall).