Caretaker manager Don Givens has named a squad of few surprises for the Republic of Ireland's international friendly against Greece on November 20.
The inclusion of Arsenal's Graham Barrett, currently on loan at Brighton, is the only name that may cause a few raised eyebrows as Given's keeps faith with most of Mick McCarthy's men. Barrett has played under Givens numerous times with the under-21 side and featured in the senior squad's win against Finland in August.
Sunderland duo Phil Babb and Thomas Butler have been excluded from the squad, as have Birmingham City's Jeff Kenna and Wimbledon's free-scoring David Connolly.
Givens, who has taken over on a temporary basis following McCarthy's departure, recalls Mark Kennedy, who missed the World Cup because of groin injury and last played in Niall Quinn's testimonial. Richard Dunne, who last featured in March against Denmark, is also recalled following his impressive display in the Manchester derby on Saturday. Andy O'Brien and Stephen Carr are back following their recent injury lay-offs.
"It is the strongest squad I could have picked," said Givens. "I would like to get a result as it is a one-off occasion - both for myself and the players who need a confidence boost after those Euro defeats by Russia and Switzerland. I won't even think about a starting line-up until next week because I am aware there are always a number of withdrawals ahead of friendly internationals and a number of the players are involved in important club games next Sunday, " he added.
Meanwhile, Givens indicated that the FAI are not considering him as a full-time successor to McCarthy. "It's still a great honour to be involved for this one game and I am looking forward to it. But my primary duties are with the Under-21 squad," he said.
Squad: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (Charlton), Colgan (Hibernian), Kelly (Leeds), Carr (Tottenham), Finnan (Fulham), Harte (Leeds), Breen (West Ham), Cunningham (Birmingham), O'Shea (Man Utd), Dunne (Man City), O'Brien (Newcastle), Doherty (Tottenham), Holland (Ipswich), Healy (Celtic), Kinsella (Aston Villa), Carsley (Everton), Delap (Southampton), McPhail (Leeds), Kilbane (Sunderland), Kennedy (Wolves), Duff (Blackburn), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Birmingham), Barrett (Brighton).
Filed by James Boylan.
