Cunningham keen to state case for the defence

Kenny Cunningham's long-awaited return to the Republic of Ireland international scene has given manager Mick McCarthy a boost for next month's World Cup qualifiers away to Cyprus and Andorra, but also a dilemma.

Since the Wimbledon defender was sidelined by a knee operation 10 months ago, Coventry City's Gary Breen and Manchester City's Richard Dunne have formed an unlikely, but so far successful, alliance in the centre of the Irish defence. Both were outstanding in Ireland's unbeaten start to the Group Two World Cup qualifying campaign when splendid draws away from home against favourites Holland and Portugal earlier this season were supplemented by a confident 2-0 home win against Estonia. And although Cunningham, virtually an automatic selection before his injury, is only too be glad to be back in the fold, he knows his previously unchallenged role as the pivotal figure in the back-line is no longer nailed on. He admits, "It's great to be back because it feels like a very long time that I've been away from the Irish scene, but I know I have to fight to regain my place. The two lads Mick has put together in the centre of defence have done a great job in my absence and although it is well known I've played a lot of my football for Wimbledon at right back there is probably even more competition for that job with the Republic."

McCarthy, who names his starting line-up later today for the friendly international against Denmark at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night, said, "Kenny will almost certainly get a run-out tomorrow night because I have only 16 outfield players and it is a reasonable suggestion that they will all be employed at some stage. But Gary Breen and Richard Dunne have done superbly for us and it is a partnership I'd like to keep together. We all know that Kenny can also play right back as well, but I've also got to consider Gary Doherty, who has looked an excellent defender for Tottenham after going there as a striker, and also Steve Finnan, who plays right side in a very successful Fulham side."

So the manager is almost spoilt for choice in defence, but it is still a different story up front, where veteran Niall Quinn's troublesome back problem is causing increasing anxiety. The veteran Sunderland target-man, already capped 82 times and the joint-holder of Ireland's all-time scoring record with 20 goals, misses out again tomorrow through injury. Which means McCarthy is ready to give a rejuvenated David Connolly another chance to stake a claim alongside Robbie Keane, although it means an entirely different attacking approach to the traditional little and large strike-force. Even Connolly, back in favour under a new coach with Dutch giants Feyenoord, admits, "To be honest, I'd be happier playing off a big guy like Niall rather than somebody of similar stature to myself like Robbie. It is a problem for the team as well without a big target-man. So you could say Robbie and I are contesting a place tomorrow night, even though we've done well on a few occasions as partners before and shown that two smaller guys together can work. For me it is just a boost to be back with a chance again. I was out of favour at Feyenoord with the previous coach, Leo Beenhakker, but since Bert van Marwijk took over at the start of the season he's brought me back into the main squad from Feyenoord's feeder-team Excelsior and it's given my confidence a tremendous lift."

Filed by Pat Nugent