REPUBLIC of Ireland youth team manager Brian Kerr is keeping his options open for as long as possible before committing himself to a team for his side's opening game in the World Youth Championship finals in Malaysia tomorrow.
Ireland play Ghana in Alor Setar - the venue for all four group C teams in the 24-nation tournament, which got underway yesterday when Malaysia lost 3-1 to Morocco - and the Africans appear to hold most of the aces.
Ghana were under-17 champions two years ago and will be more accustomed to the heat and humidity than the Irish, even though the game kicks off at 5.30 p.m. local time (10.30 p.m. Irish time).
But the Irish can boast talented Blackburn trio David Worrell, Thomas Morgan and Damien Duff, as well as Neale Fenn, who has just signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham.
"I have managed to get a report on the Ghanaians from the manager of one of the teams they played since they came to Malaysia and I want to have a look at one of two positions in my own side before I make a final selection," said Kerr.
"Ghana are a big side and we are not one of the tallest, so we will have to take measures to Ideal with that."
