Injury doubts Clinton Morrison and Matt Holland have both been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Cyprus and Switzerland.
Birmingham striker Morrison is considered a major doubt for the Group 4 openers after he picked up a knee injury in last week's 1-1 friendly draw with Bulgaria at Lansdowne Road.
Irish manager Brian Kerr said: "We thought he was okay and I was surprised when he wasn't in the Birmingham squad on Saturday. We've just got to hope he recovers quickly from the injury to join up with us next week."
Charlton midfielder Holland, who missed last week's friendly, is also a doubt with an ankle injury sustained in his club's first Premiership game of the season.
Kerr added: "We're hopeful he (Holland) can make a comeback soon. He's on the road to recovery and is hoping to start running again in the next couple of days."
Robbie Keane and Rory Delap also return to the squad.
Spurs star Keane is expected to make his comeback from a pre-season ankle problem either tomorrow or on Saturday in the Premiership and now looks set to be available for the matches at Lansdowne Road and in Basel.
"I was aware that Robbie was making good progress after talking to (Spurs coach) Chris Hughton and also talking to Robbie, so hopefully he gets some games in the next week and will be ready for us," said Kerr.
Delap is selected again after missing Ireland's last five friendlies with a knee injury.
"Rory is fit and well and gives us some added strength and experience for these games," insisted Kerr. "He's very adaptable, which will help us also because he can slot into a number of positions.
"He's been unlucky with injuries, but he's had a good pre-season and has started the season very well," he added.
There's no place, however, in Kerr's 24-strong panel for Manchester City's Jonathan Macken, who made his debut after coming on as a substitute late on in the Bulgarian game.
Also omitted are Manchester City's Richard Dunne, Tranmere Rovers' Jason McAteer and Ian Harte of Levante.
Ireland first take on Cyprus at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, September 4, before flying to Basel to face Switzerland the following Wednesday in Group 4 of a qualifying campaign which will also see them up against France, Israel and the Faroe Islands.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS V CYPRUS (Lansdowne Road, September 4, 3pm) AND SWITZERLAND (Basel, September 8, 7.30pm):
Shay Given (Newcastle United), Nick Colgan (Barnsley), Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United), Steve Finnan (Liverpool), Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham), Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United), Alan Maybury (Hearts), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Stephen Carr (Newcastle United), Gary Doherty (Norwich City), Gary Breen (Sunderland), Liam Miller (Manchester United), Alan Quinn (Sheffield United), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Matt Holland (Charlton Athletic), Graham Kavanagh (Cardiff City), Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest), Kevin Kilbane (Everton), Damien Duff (Chelsea), Alan Lee (Cardiff City), Clinton Morrison (Birmingham), David Connolly (Leicester City), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Rory Delap (Southampton).
Filed by James Boylan
