Soccer:Giovanni Trapattoni has opted to name Glenn Whelan in midfield for tomorrow night's Euro 2012 qualifier in Andorra, despite the risk of the Stoke City man picking up a suspension that would rule him out of the final game against Armenia next Tuesday.

With just two games left in the campaign, Ireland know six points will guarantee at least a play-off place from Group B and Trapattoni has opted for a tried and tested formula that includes Kevin Doyle up front with Robbie Keane.

Darren O’Dea will start in the centre of defence alongside Seán St Ledger in the absence of the suspended Richard Dunne, while John O’Shea will operate at right-back.

The decision to start Whelan is the only contentious issue, with the midfielder, who will start with his familiar partner Keith Andrews, already on a yellow card and knowing another would prevent him from taking to the field in the far trickier meeting with Armenia in Dublin next week.

The manager considered Keith Fahey for the role instead but has indicated he trusts Whelan to tread a fine line and avoid a potentially costly booking.

"I’d rather use Glenn (Whelan) in this match," he said today. "We need to get three points, we think about consequences after, now we play to win. If we take a lead then maybe we change. Why not? In a draw we can change also, maybe try for the result."

It is a calculated risk by the manager, and one that was no doubt helped by the fact the only card picked up by Whelan in the campaign to date was issued in the very first game against Armenia in Yerevan.

That was in September 2010, meaning he has gone seven games without a booking and the manager obviously feels he is unlikely to collect his second against a side that have only scored one goal in their eight matches.

That strike came in a 3-1 win for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium four days after the trip to Armenia, who trail Trapattoni’s side by just one point heading into the last leg of the qualifiers.

Ireland are two points adrift of group leaders Russia, for whom a defeat in Slovakia tomorrow would afford a chance for Ireland to top the group and secure automatic qualification for the finals in the Ukraine and Poland next summer.

Rep of Ireland (v Andorra): Given; O'Shea, St Ledger, O'Dea, Ward; Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady; Doyle, Keane

Rep of Ireland (v Andorra):Given; O'Shea, St Ledger, O'Dea, Ward; Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady; Doyle, Keane