No surprises in Ireland squad

Mark Kinsella, Gary Breen and Rory Delap have been recalled by Mick McCarthy for Ireland's final Group Two qualifying match against Cyprus on Saturday week.

Both Kinsella and Breen, who missed the win over The Netherlands at the start of this month through injury, have proven their fitness in recent weeks, while Delap has played his way back into McCarthy's favour after having been dropped by the manager last time around.

There are no surprises in the squad, with Gary Kelly, Gary Doherty and Damien Duff all omitted because of suspension (Kelly) and injuries, although there had at least been the possibility of a recall for Kenny Cunningham who is back in training at Wimbledon after a long lay-off with a torn stomach muscle.

Cunningham aside, McCarthy has included those players within the squad that are currently carrying a yellow card but he has said on a number of occasions now that they are unlikely to play as he does not want them to end up being banned in the event that, as expected, Ireland end up facing an Asian side in a two-legged play-off for a place at next summer's World Cup finals.

Robbie Keane, Jason McAteer and Mark Kinsella are all affected by the decision and so their involvement next week is likely to be restricted to training with the side during the build up to the game.

McCarthy cited "continuity" as the thinking behind their inclusion and while his options have been limited somewhat by the enforced absence of several regulars he has resisted the temptation to bring in some of the younger players such as Barry Quinn and Stephen McPhail despite the fact that Don Givens has made it clear that they no longer form any part of his plans for the under-21s.

There are doubts too, meanwhile, regarding the fitness of Alan Kelly, who was forced off during Birmingham's game against Preston last week with a shoulder injury.

The goalkeeper is now back with Blackburn Rovers and it is likely to be another few days before it is clear whether he is in a position to join up with McCarthy's squad.

"Kenny (Cunningham) hasn't played any games yet so I can't include him in my squad quite yet," said McCarthy yesterday, "and I was talking to the Blackburn physio about Duff and he's not right so that's him gone for this one. Alan Kelly took a knock to the shoulder too but he hasn't been on to me so for the moment at least I'm presuming he's all right."

Asked about Cyprus he conceded that the 4-0 win out there had, "probably flattered us, but I like to think that they'll be more worried about coming to Lansdowne Road.

"Anyway, every game is different. I seem to remember that after Holland beat England nobody, and I mean nobody, gave us a chance against them, and that turned out all right in the end."

Ireland squad v Cyprus

Given (Newcastle), Kiely (Charlton), Kelly (Blackburn); Finnan (Fulham), Dunne (Manchester City), Harte (Leeds Utd), Staunton (Aston Villa), Breen (Coventry), O'Brien (Newcastle); Kinsella (Charlton), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Carsley (Coventry), McAteer (Blackburn), Holland (Ipswich), Kilbane (Sunderland), Kennedy (Wolves), Reid (Millwall); Delap (Southampton), Quinn (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Leeds), Connolly (Wimbledon), Morrison (Crystal Palace).