Brian Kerr has named his side for tonight's crucial Group 4 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia.
With Roy Keane out of the game at the GSP Stadium, as well as Wednesday's Lansdowne Road showdown against Switzerland with a broken bone in his left foot, Kerr turned to Wigan's Graham Kavanagh to fill the midfield void.
Kerr is also without Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and Tottenham winger Andy Reid through suspension, so hands a fifth cap to 21-year-old Sunderland forward Stephen Elliott, while Liverpool's Steve Finnan takes over on the right wing.
Republic of Ireland team: Shay Given; Stephen Carr, Richard Dunne, Kenny Cunningham, John O'Shea; Steve Finnan, Graham Kavanagh, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff; Robbie Keane, Stephen Elliott.
