New Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni hopes to persuade Steve Finnan, Andy O'Brien and Stephen Ireland to return to the international stage after holding talks with all three.
The Italian, along with assistants Marco Tardelli and Liam Brady, met the trio in Manchester today and was encouraged by what he heard.
Trapattoni told the Republic's official website, www.fai.ie: 'I had very good meetings with all three players.
'"The discussions I have had with them have been very positive and I am confident there is a very good possibility that they will return to play for their country.'
Liverpool full-back Finnan announced his retirement from international football in January this year before Trapattoni's appointment, citing the fact that he would be 34 by the time the 2010 World Cup finals come around.
He has 50 senior caps and played in all four of his country's games at the 2002 World Cup finals in the Far East.
Bolton defender O'Brien, 28, followed suit in February in a surprise move ahead of the friendly clash with Brazil.
But 21-year-old Manchester City midfielder Ireland's situation is slightly different.
Ireland has not played for his country since September last year after withdrawing from the squad for the European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic.
He initially claimed his maternal grandmother, and then his paternal grandmother had died, and it later emerged he had lied on both occasions to cover the fact that his girlfriend Jessica had suffered a miscarriage.
Ireland apologised for the embarrassment caused and although he was called back into Steve Staunton's squad for the clashes with Germany and Cyprus in October, he later withdrew with the manager later revealing he was not mentally ready.
Caretaker boss Don Givens did not select him for the Brazil game, but it appears Trapattoni is keen to have the talented player back in the fold.
However, it remains to be seen if that could happen in time for a training camp in Portugal later this month or the friendlies against Serbia and Colombia which follow it.
Asked last week about Ireland's situation, he said: 'He is a very important player for us. He is young, but he has quality. I have spoken with (Manchester City boss) Sven (-Goran Eriksson) and he has said I will have to speak to him, but he has not said he is not coming (to Portugal).
'Sven has said if I talk to him, then it is possible he will come back because Stephen has never said he does not want to play for the national team again.'
The 28-strong squad for the training camp and the May friendlies will be announced on Tuesday.
