The three Republic of Ireland players involved in yesterday's big Premiership game at Elland Road - Roy Keane, Gary Kelly and Ian Harte - came through unscathed.

Committed to fielding his strongest available team for Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic, Mick McCarthy will be reassured in particular by the presence of Keane.

He will also welcome the news of Kelly's availability, as he is expected to challenge strongly for the vacancy occasioned by Denis Irwin's retirement.

With Irwin and Steve Staunton in secure possession of the full back positions, McCarthy has tended to view Kelly as a right-sided midfielder. Now he is seen as a contender, along with Tottenham's Steve Carr, for the full back vacancy.

Stephen McPhail, the third Leeds player in the Ireland squad, was absent for the second consecutive week from the team beaten 1-0 by Manchester United, but McCarthy said that the player had not as yet been withdrawn by the club and as such he was still in his plans.

David Connolly, seen primarily as cover for Niall Quinn and Robbie Keane in the front line, was treated for an ankle injury in Holland before joining the national squad yesterday. He seems certain to be available when McCarthy announces his team tomorrow.

Shay Given, who hasn't appeared in the Ireland team since he damaged a knee at the end of last season, made an unexpected return to Newcastle's team for yesterday's English FA Cup win over Tranmere Rovers, a game in which Joe Murphy wore the goalkeeper's sweater for Tranmere.

Given's return to favour at Newcastle was welcomed by McCarthy as an encouraging change of fortune for the man who was once an automatic choice for Ireland. But the expectation is that Alan Kelly will again be preferred on Wednesday.