Squad Announced

[Seanie]

Millwall's Richard Sadlier and Celtic's Colin Healy are the only uncapped players in the Republic of Ireland squad to face Russia on February 13.
The Lions' hitman, who has netted 17 goals so far this term, and midfielder Healy, who is currently on loan at Coventry, are in manager Mick McCarthy's 24-man squad for the clash at Lansdowne Road.
McCarthy has lost Stephen Carr of Spurs, Charlton's Mark Kinsella, Rory Delap of Southampton and Wimbledon's David Connolly who were all ruled out with injury.

Squad: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (Charlton), A Kelly (Blackburn), Finnan (Fulham), G Kelly (Leeds), Breen (Coventry), Cunningham (Wimbledon), Dunne (Manchester City), Staunton (Aston Villa), O'Brien (Newcastle), Harte (Leeds), McAteer (Sunderland), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Holland (Ipswich), Kennedy (Wolves), Kilbane (Sunderland), Reid (Millwall), Carsley (Coventry), Healy (Celtic), Quinn (Sunderland), Morrison (Crystal Palace), Sadlier (Millwall), Robbie Keane (Leeds), Duff (Blackburn).

[pete]

I'm surprised he didn't give some of the established players a break with a few more new recruits.

Are McPhail & O'Shea injured?

Is Mick narrowing down his 23 WC squad options already? If a fit player not in that squad or the next then he no hope of making Korea surely...

[Brine]

Yes, why isn't O'Shea in there?

[Seanie]

It's a very strange decision. McCarthy may want players playing first team football, but surely a substitute role at Old Trafford is much better than being a First Division regular. A call-up to the international squad would also boost O'Shea's chances of gaining a regular starting berth at United. Also Gary Breen was substituted last night for Coventry - not sure why?

[Macy]

O'Shea is recovering from injury, but I thought he was very close to being back...

[Brine]

He came on for the last 20 minutes of the United match where Solskjaer got the hat trick.

[patsh]

What about Phil Babb ? Don't laugh, by all accounts he is having a great season at Sporting Lisbon........ :p

[ccfcman]

i appear to be the only person here glad to have good old kenny cunningham in the squad