The growing rift between the FAI and English clubs who will be required to release players for the Republic of Ireland's participation in the Under-20 World Championships in Nigeria in April has been highlighted in an exchange of correspondence between the association and Everton.

Walter Smith, the Everton manager, is loath to release Richard Dunne, who has matured into an influential member of his defence this season. The young Dubliner is seen by Brian Kerr, the Ireland Under-20 manager, as an important part of his plans for the three-week championship campaign.

In a letter to the Merseyside club, Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI's chief executive, said: "The FAI is keenly aware of the difficulties created by FIFA in staging the Under-20 World Cup finals during the English and Irish playing seasons. Clearly, this is a matter not under our control.

"While larger countries have the option of allowing players to drop out of consideration, our manager has a very small pool of quality players who can represent us at this high level of international competition.

"Therefore, we feel we must adhere to the FIFA directive, whereby our players must be made available to us."

Officially, Kerr is entitled to assemble his squad 14 days ahead of the start of the championship on April 3rd. As a gesture of goodwill, however, he is unlikely to insist on this clause being implemented in full.

Meanwhile, Paraguay will field a highly experimental team for Wednesday's novel meeting with the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

Of the 19 players named in the squad yesterday, Carlos Paredes, of Sportivo Lugueno, is the sole survivor from the team which started against France in the World Cup finals.

Denis Caniza, of Olimpia, who replaced Paredes during that game, is the only other member of their World Cup team travelling to Dublin.

Irish supporters will be particularly disappointed by the absence of Jose Luis Chilavert, acclaimed as one of the better goalkeepers during France 98, and Celso Ayala, their towering central defender, who defied the home attack until Laurent Blanc's sudden death winner in the 113th minute at Lens.

Mick McCarthy may have mixed thoughts about the composition of the South American squad, for while it enhances the prospect of a home win, it may deny him the test of strength he wants ahead of next month's European championship meeting with Macedonia at Skopje.