NIALL QUINN is at the heart of speculation as Mick McCarthy makes ready to name a squad of 20 for the Republic of Ireland's day of destiny in Bucharest on April 30th.

To repair some of the "damage" sustained in dismal World Cup performances against Iceland and FYR Macedonia, McCarthy urgently needs the reassurance of a good result in Romania.

And it is generally conceded that to achieve it, he must have the option of using Quinn, his most experienced forward, for all or part of the game. The problem arises from the fact that the Sunderland player has played just 30 minutes senior football, comprised of two substitutions in the games against Newcastle United and Liverpool, since damaging cruciate ligaments seven months ago.

There is, of course, the prospect of further first team action when Sunderland play Middlesbrough next Saturday and to this can be added the benefits of two outings with the club's reserve team in recent weeks.

Whether all of this is sufficient preparation for World Cup competition, is a moot point. McCarthy now appears to have changed the ground rules with his statement some time ago that only those playing regular first team football, in the approach to international games, would be considered for selection.

The first victim of the new edict was Paul McGrath, then languishing in the shadows at Villa Park, who was left out for the first three games in the qualifying series and his is the name which now tends to be invoked when justification is sought for implementation of the new local rule.

The Irish manager is, of course right, when he states that players normally need the cut and thrust of first team football to sharpen them for the higher grade of competition. Equally, he will err on the side of obstinacy if he refuses to bend precepts to take account of circumstances.

With John Aldridge retired and Tony Cascarino experiencing ongoing fitness problems, he can do with all the stabilising influences he can muster on what is feared territory for any visiting team. That is why he would be ill advised to go without Quinn if the player manages to fit in another appearance for Sunderland before the party sets off for Bucharest.

Keith O'Neill's ankle problems did not restrict him unduly over the weekend, judging by his performance against Stoke City in which he scored Norwich City's opening goal in 10 seconds and set up the chance for a second strike by Darren Eadie, to keep the club involved in the quest for a place in the promotion play offs.

He concedes that with little rest, the problem is unlikely to disappear before the end of the season but providing it doesn't worsen, he is optimistic that he can make an important contribution in the two World Cup games to be played over the next six weeks.

Significantly, Steve Staunton has not figured in either of Aston Villa's last two games, a worrying statistic when measured against his high rate of absenteeism from club and international duty over the last 18 months.

Whatever about his Ireland performances, it certainly hasn't minimised his input to Villa's team in that period and at a time when McCarthy can do with all the maturity available to him, his fitness problems will now be monitored carefully.

As yet, however, there is no firm indication if Paul McGrath will be included. In the wake of his dramatic withdrawal from the game in Macedonia earlier this month, there were some disquieting stories circulating that the player's international career is fast drawing to a close.

That he no longer has the pace and verve which made him such a valued member of the national squad, is not in question. Yet, as those who have watched him in recent games for Derby will readily testify, he is still capable of dredging up big performances on occasions.

To sacrifice that kind of presence now, on the head of grievances, real or imagined, would be to add an extra layer of threat to Ireland's most difficult game since the European championship play off against Holland at Anfield in December, 1995.