Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will get a first look at his youngsters in Portugal next week as some of his established stars stay at home.
The Italian has named a 28-man squad for a training camp on the Algarve and the friendlies against Serbia in Dublin and Colombia at Craven Cottage that follow.
However, Champions League finalist John O'Shea, Tottenham star Robbie Keane, Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne and Celtic pair Aiden McGeady and Darren O'Dea will only join up with the party in Dublin because of either club or personal commitments.
In addition, Cardiff midfielder Stephen McPhail will not be available until after Saturday's FA Cup final, while uncapped Crystal Palace counterpart Sean Scannell is still involved in the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.
Trapattoni's choices were further limited by injuries to Shay Given, Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane, Darron Gibson and Joey O'Brien.
However, he will take the opportunity in Portugal, where his side will play two games against local club sides, to assess the next generation of senior internationals.
He said: ‘I am taking 20 players to Portugal and many of them will be young - that is good.
‘I know the famous players and I want to know the young players. I will use Portugal to see how they train and how they play.
‘I will learn a lot about them over the next two weeks.
‘Any player who is not in this squad is still in my thoughts.
‘Some players who were not in the preliminary squad are in this squad because they have impressed and are playing in positions where we had vacancies.
‘We will continue to monitor every Irish player from the start of next season and if they impress, they will be brought into the squad.
‘The next two weeks are important. It is my first opportunity to work with the players and I am looking forward to it.
‘We will have two training games in Portugal and the games against Serbia and Colombia so I will get to see all the players playing.’
Trapattoni's squad includes seven previously uncapped players - O'Dea, Scannell, Damien Delaney, Kevin Foley, Owen Garvan, Wesley Hoolahan and Glenn Whelan - and includes the return of hugely experienced goalkeeper Dean Kiely after an absence of five years.
The 37-year-old West Brom player won eight senior caps before announcing his retirement from international football in 2003, but has answered the manager's call to return to the fold.
Trapattoni will hope for a similar response from self-exiled trio Steve Finnan, Stephen Ireland and Andy O'Brien, although none of the three is included this time around.
The Italian said: ‘As you know, I spoke to Steve Finnan, Stephen Ireland and Andy O'Brien last week in Manchester and asked them to return to international football.
‘I left the door open for them to return and it is now up to them to decide what to do. But I am optimistic.’
Manchester City midfielder Ireland, 21, has not played for his country since his controversial withdrawal from the squad and the subsequent fall-out after his girlfriend Jessica suffered a miscarriage last year.
However, Trapattoni remains confident he will pull on the green shirt once again.
He said: ‘The moment I left him, I told him, "I will wait for you" and he said to me, "okay".
‘I understood Stephen. I understand he is young. I have children, I have a son and I understand him.
‘I am confident, I trust he will come back. I spoke with him and normally when I speak with a player, I look the player in the eyes. The eyes never lie.
‘I have trust he will come back.’
Meanwhile, the kick-off time for the Serbian clash has been moved from 7.30pm to 7.45pm at Croke Park on Saturday 24 May.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle, Dean Kiely, Joe Murphy.
Defenders: Alex Bruce, Damien Delaney, Richard Dunne, Kevin Foley, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Darren O’Dea, John O’Shea.
Midfielders: Damien Duff, Owen Garvan, Darron Gibson, Wes Hoolahan, Stephen Hunt, Aiden McGeady, Stephen McPhail, Liam Miller, Darren Potter, Andy Reid, Martin Rowlands, Sean Scannell, Glenn Whelan.
Forwards: Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Andy Keogh, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy.
