Keane is injured, but I'll take your point. I agree that new players should get chances in friendlies and new players will (Stuttgart88's point earlier in the thread). However, I think it is also important to have as much consistency as is possible at international level and this is part of the reason why I think Trap insists on playing what is the core of the team despite knowing what they have to offer.
Fair enough point. I don't deny that Trap has made some odd selections. However, Miller's inclusion came at the beginning of Trap's reign when there were very little other options for centre midfield and I think it's fair to say that Trapattoni has since come to know our playing pool a little better. I haven't seen much of Stokes play this season, but I'd guess that Long is ahead of him because of his solid performances against Slovakia and Russia, while Walters is playing at a higher level and Trap has not worked with him before. OK, Stokes is scoring for fun in the SPL, but so was Lukas Jutkiewicz last season and there was no mad clamour for that eligible player to be included in a squad.
There is still time before the game. Stokes could be included yet.