Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed Richard Dunne will play some part in Sunday's friendly against Georgia.
The 33-year-old central defender has not made a single appearance for either his club Aston Villa or his country all season because of injury.
However, having trained with his international team-mates for the last few days, he is set to end his enforced exile at the Aviva Stadium.
Trapattoni said: "I have spoken with him and I have already said he will play some of the game on Sunday. Whether he will start or come on later, we have to decide, but it is possible for him to play."
Left-back Marc Wilson, who missed last night's game with a calf problem, will be given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of the Faroes' visit to Dublin, although there will be no place for key midfielder Glenn Whelan, who will be rested ahead of the qualifier.
That will leave at least one vacancy in midfield with Trapattoni indicating he will make changes, and that could mean a rare opportunity for Norwich's Wes Hoolahan, who was among the unused substitutes at Wembley.
Many commentators have repeatedly bemoaned the manager's reluctance to give the 31-year-old a run in the team, but he revealed he is considering him as an option for this weekend.
Asked if he would be involved, Trapattoni said: "I have to think again. Probably, yes, probably.
"But we have to think again because we have also [Jeff] Hendrick. Whelan will have a rest because it's important for Whelan to have a rest before the Faroes at this moment. He has had a very tough season.
"But Wes could be, sure, one of the two midfielders. Could be."
The squad reconvened at their Malahide training base this afternoon with several nursing knocks, although Trapattoni is hopeful that all are minor problems.
He said: "Whelan is one and there are another two or three, but we will get a clearer picture later in this evening."
Goalkeeper David Forde joined the men who played against England in a gentle stroll around the training pitch with his right knee bandaged, although Trapattoni later suggested that Keiren Westwood and Darren Randolph could both be involved on Sunday.
Live radio coverage of Republic of Ireland v Georgia on Sunday Sport from 14.00 on Sunday 2 June on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ.ie. Televised highlights from 20:30 on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (RoI only)
