Mick McCarthy has made seven changes to his Republic of Ireland team for tomorrow night's friendly against the United States at Lansdowne Road. The four surviving players from the team which beat Denmark 3-0 in Dublin last month are Leeds duo Ian Harte and Robbie Keane, Charlton midfielder Mark Kinsella and Blackburn striker Damien Duff.
Gary Breen will captain the team while Rory Delap will make his first start in two years. This match provides probably the last chance for three players named in the starting line-up to stake their claim for the final party of 23 to travel to the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. Celtic's Colin Healy, who impressed with a Man of the Match display on his debut against Russia, will be anxious to continue his rapid development alongside Kinsella in midfield, while Rory Delap and Andy O'Brien will also be hoping to give McCarthy selection problems ahead of this summer's finals.
Meanwhile, Manchester City's Richard Dunne has returned home with a hamstring injury and Sunderland's Jason McAteer may also depart with a groin strain.
Republic of Ireland team: Given (Newcastle), Finnan (Fulham), O'Brien (Newcastle), Breen (Coventry, capt), Harte (Leeds), Delap (Southampton), Kinsella (Charlton), Healy (Celtic), Kilbane (Sunderland), Duff (Blackburn), Keane (Leeds).
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
