Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow night's friendly international against Oman at Craven Cottage.
Kevin Doyle will captain Ireland for only the second time in his career in what is an experimental side, with a number of fringe & new players being given the opportunity to impress the Irish boss.
Manchester United's Robbie Brady & Sunderland's David Meyler will both make their international debuts. However there is no place for Sunderland's James McClean in the starting team.
David Forde - Millwall
Seamus Coleman - Everton
Stephen Kelly - Fulham
Paul McShane - Hull City
Marc Wilson - Stoke City
David Meyler - Sunderland
James McCarthy - Wigan Athletic
Robbie Brady - Manchester United
Andy Keogh - Millwall
Kevin Doyle - Wolves
Shane Long - West Brom
John O'Shea and Kevin Doyle are back in the Ireland team for tomorrow night's Euro 2012 play-off second leg against Estonia in Lansdowne Road.
Stephen Kelly at right back and Jon Walters in attack are the players that make way for the returning duo.
O'Shea comes back into the side following a hamstring injury, while Doyle returns from suspension to partner Robbie Keane in the Irish attack.
In a third change to the starting team from the first-leg encounter in Tallinn, Stephen Hunt takes Aiden McGeady's place on the wing, but Giovanni Trapattoni has indicated that Spartak Moscow man McGeady will play the second half of the game.
The Irish management team also confirmed that LA Galaxy requested Keane return to the United States following Ireland's 4-0 away win in A. Le Coq Arena. However, the team's captain has chosen to remain in international camp for the second leg.
LA Galaxy play Houston Dynamo in the final of the MLS Cup on Sunday, which explains the California team's desire to get the Ireland international back to the States.
Ireland secured a Euro 2012 play-off spot after a dramatic 2-1 win over Armenia, but it came at a price as Kevin Doyle was sent-off in the second half.
The striker is now certain to miss the first leg of the play-offs and will need some generosity from UEFA to avoid a two-game ban.
With injured skipper Robbie Keane struggling to make next month's double header, Ireland's striking options are limited for their biggest game in two years.
However, Giovanni Trapattoni will take some comfort from a fine performance by Keane's replacement Simon Cox.
Cox's inclusion over Shane Long had prompted much talk and he had the chance to repay his manager's faith after ten minutes.
Doyle flicked on for Cox, who turned well but was crowded out as he tried to shoot. Doyle fired straight at Berezovsky when the ball came his way.
At the other end, Ireland's defence was cut open by Marcos Pizzelli's pass. Shay Given was happy to see Yura Movisyan's heavy touch push the ball wide.
Ireland were given a huge boost just before the half hour mark, as Berezovsky was sent-off for handling Cox's lob outside the box.
McGeady was instrumental as Ireland doubled their lead through Dunne. The winger danced away from his markers to cross. Petrosyan flapped at the ball and Dunne knocked it into the net.
Armenia were rewarded for their efforts as they caught Ireland napping to get back in the game. Mkhitaryan was given too much space and fired low, although Given will feel he should have done better with the shot.
The game became stretched as Armenia pushed for an equaliser, which left gaps at the back. Duff found McGeady in space but he hesitated and was quickly closed down.
Doyle compounded a disappointing evening by picking up a second yellow card when he caught Karlen Mkrtchyan with his elbow.
Jonathan Walters' impressive late cameo will have done little to harm his chances of starting that play-off first leg, alongside man-of-the-match Cox.
Ireland: 1 Given; 4 O'Shea, 2 St Ledger, 5 Dunne, 3 Kelly; 7 McGeady (15 Hunt 68), 6 Whelan (17 Fahey '76), 8 Andrews, 11 Duff; 9 Doyle, 10 Cox (13 Walters '80).
Subs not used: 16 Westwood, 12 Coleman, 14 Long, 18 O'Dea.
Booked: St Ledger, McGeady, Doyle.
Sent-off: Doyle.
Armenia: 1 Berezovsky; 4 Hovsepyan, 15 Mkoyan, 16 Aleksanyan, 20 Hayrapetyan; 9 Malkyan (23 Petrosyan 29'), 6 Mkrtchyan; 10 Ghazaryan (11 Sarkisov '62), 8 Pizzelli (22 Manucharyan '53), 18 Mkhitaryan; 14 Movsisyan.
Subs not used: 21 Badoyan, 17 Artak Edigaryan, 7 Artur Edigaryan, 3 Yuspashyan.
Booked: Petrosyan.
Sent-off: Berezovsky.
Attendance: 45,200
Kevin Doyle's 10th international goal set Ireland on the road to a comfortable victory in Andorra as Giovanni Trapattoni's men completed the first half of their European mission.
Doyle's seventh-minute strike gave Ireland an advantage they never threatened to surrender and when defender Ildefons Lima deflected Aiden McGeady's shot into his own net 13 minutes later, the points were effectively safe.
Russia's victory in Slovakia means they will win Group B if they beat the Andorrans at home on Tuesday evening, but a draw with Armenia will be enough to send the Republic into the Euro 2012 play-offs.
Ireland international striker Kevin Doyle has set his sights on playing for Ireland in their three internationals at the end of the season.
Doyle has basically ruled himself out of the remainder of Wolves' battle for Barclays Premier League survival after suffering a knee ligament injury when Ireland beat Macedonia in Dublin last month. He is however hoping to return for 'The Boys In Green' in late May, even though he admits his club boss Mick McCarthy may not be too happy.
Doyle told Sky Sports: "If I don't play for Wolves again this season, I don't suppose the manager will be too happy to see me get fit and disappear for my country. But I'm going to try to make it."
Ireland face Nigel Worthington's team and Scotland in the Carling Nations Cup on May 24 and 29 respectively and then tackle Macedonia away a few days later in a Euro 2012 qualifier on June 4.
Giovanni Trappatoni received a welcome boost today with the news that Robbie Keane will resume full training with West Ham this week.
Record Irish goalscorer Keane, who resumed light training early last week is now ready to rejoin the Hammers first team squad.
Ireland face Macedonia in a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier in Dublin in three weeks time and a fit Robbie Keane would be an important boost to an Irish forward line already showing top form with the recent goal scoring displays of Wolves Kevin Doyle and Readings Shane Long.
Dubliner Keane has been sidelined for almost a month after picking up a calf injury in just his second game for the Hammers following his January loan move from Tottenham.
Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has been ruled out of Tuesday's European Championship qualifier against Slovakia due of a knee injury.
The Football Association of Ireland said this morning that the Wolves player had returned to his club for treatment.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has decided not to call up a replacement with the remaining 21 players fit to travel.
Ireland need to secure three points against Slovakia after losing 3-2 at home to Russia in Friday's Group B match. Either Shane Long or Andy Keogh are likely to replace the injured Doyle in Ireland's starting eleven.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane and central defender Richard Dunne have both been named in the team to face Armenia in tomorrow's Euro 2012 qualifier in Yerevan.
Keane is battling a knee problem while Dunne has missed several days' training this week with a muscle problem.
However, both were expected to take part in the session at the Yerevan Republican Stadium this evening and be available for the game.
Dunne will line up in a back four alongside Sean St Ledger with John O'Shea and Kevin Kilbane as the full-backs, while the midfield will comprise Liam Lawrence, Paul Green, Glenn Whelan and Aiden McGeady.
Keane, who will win his 101st senior international cap, will partner Kevin Doyle in attack.
Ireland team to face Armenia in Yerevan tomorrow
Shay Given, John O'Shea, Sean Saint Ledger, Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane, Liam Lawrence, Glenn Whelan, Paul Green, Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.
Kevin Doyle has hailed Ireland strike partner Robbie Keane as one of the greats of Irish football.
Doyle is hoping to be fit to partner Keane in the first ever international match at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday when the opposition is provided by star-studded Argentina. The Irish captain will earn his 100th cap in the game and Doyle says that playing alongside him has only been a pleasure.
"He's just been a joy to play with to be honest," the Wolves man was quoted as saying by the Irish Independent.
"He's on 100 caps, it's unbelievable. Someone was asking is he now going to be up there with the top players, the (Liam) Bradys, the (Paul) McGraths. I think there is no doubt that he is.
"He's the record goal-scorer by more than double what anyone else has got. He's played in World Cups, he's scored in World Cups, there is not much more to achieve at international level.
“He's only 30, so he has plenty of time to get plenty more caps. He's the captain. For strikers especially, it's great to see how he trains, he prepares. He's someone you can follow, try and follow. In training, not just in matches, he works so hard. It means as much to him to win a five-a-side as a match.
"Little things like that you can take from players who have played at the highest level, get records like he has. It makes you realise you can't just breeze through it as a young player. You realise what the better players do and try and copy that, to be at that level yourself.”
Keane, though, has his share of critics, with some feeling he does not take enough chances but Doyle says fault can hardly be found in 43 goals in 99 games, and adds that the former Liverpool man would have had even more had he been playing for one of the world’s biggest nations.
Doyle added: "If you're playing for a Holland or a Spain, it's like playing for a Chelsea or a Manchester United; you're going to get more chances.
"In the top countries in Europe, I would imagine he has as good a strike rate as anyone."
Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has stated he will consider his future at Manchester City if he's not selected for the opening game of the new Barclays Premier League season against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
Given, who has recovered from a shoulder injury that saw him miss the final three games of last season, is in a battle with Joe Hart for the number one shirt at Eastlands and is considering a transfer or loan move if he's not picked this weekend.
Meanwhile, Ireland trained in Malahide this morning ahead of Wednesday's international against Argentina.
Richard Dunne, John O'Shea and Kevin Doyle sat out the session because of injury.
Aiden McGeedy has been given permission to miss the match as he closes in on a move to Spartak Moscow.
Giovanni Trapattoni urged his Ireland players to believe in their ability after beating World Cup qualifiers Paraguay 2-1.
While Paraguay booked their ticket to South Africa with two games to spare, Ireland were denied a place at next month's finals in a controversial play-off with France.
Yet although the South Americans had already played three warm-up matches and bossed possession, they struggled to break down the Republic defence and the hosts were more incisive in attack.
Wolves striker Kevin Doyle headed a seventh-minute opener before Stoke midfielder Liam Lawrence fired home in the 39th minute.
And although Argentina-born striker Lucas Barrios marked his Paraguay debut with a 58th-minute strike, Ireland held on to claim an impressive success.
"I told the players before the game to remember three of our last four opponents - Italy, France and Brazil," Trapattoni told Sky Sports.
"We have to remember we are a good team because we played against these teams at a good level and I think they believed me.
"The first half I saw our team play with mentality, attitude and attention.
"Second half we must forget because some players have been on holiday. We had only two days together (before the game) so maybe second half we were down and missing some strength.
"The result was important but what was more important was our performance, and I think we deserved to win."
Trapattoni handed senior international debuts to Paul Green, Cillian Sheridan and Keith Fahey off the bench in the second half.
And they may feature more as Ireland aim to follow up the morale-boosting victory by claiming another World Cup scalp on Friday, with England's Group C opponents Algeria visiting the RDS Arena.
"For us, it's important we repeat the performance," added Trapattoni.
"I said before that maybe after just two days together we wouldn't have the same strength and the same condition.
"But I have confidence with the new players today, like Paul Green for the last 30 minutes, he played well.
"I think we must now think about a few new players (against Algeria)."
Kevin Doyle was delighted with Ireland’s 2-1 win over Paraguay in the friendly international match played at the RDS in Dublin yesterday
Doyle and Liam Lawrence scored in the first half as Ireland recorded a victory against their World Cup-bound opponents.
“It’s a win, they’re going to the World Cup and we’re not so it’s a good win for us,” Doyle reflected..
“They’re going to be well trained and we beat them pretty convincingly.
“We looked pretty solid and played well.”
Paraguay pulled a goal back through Lucas Barrios in the second half and became more of a threat, with Doyle admitting the home side perhaps began to feel the pace.
“It’s been a good few weeks since some of us had a game and maybe it started to show a little,” the Wolves forward added.
“They’re the opposite and they were probably a bit sharper come the end.
“But it was a chance for us to be together again, it was another good performance and a good win.
“It all will hopefully count when the European Championship qualifiers come round.”
Premiership managers Mick McCarthy and Roberto Martinez have issued a stern hands off warning to Premier League rivals over their in-form Irish players Kevin Doyle and James McCarthy.
The Irish duo only moved to the English Premier League, for a combined fee of £7million, last summer when Doyle left Reading for Wolves while McCarthy quit SPL side Hamilton to join Wigan.
But their valuation on the transfer market has rocketed after a season which has seen Doyle and McCarthy score eight goals between them and impress many with their work rate and determination.
Arsenal and Liverpool have both been linked with teenager McCarthy, who made his Ireland debut against Brazil earlier this month, while Doyle has a long list of admirers due to his superb form for Wolves.
But Wolves boss McCarthy believes that Doyle will spurn any suitors if the Molineux club avoid relegation this season and insists that he does not want to sell the Wexford-born star.
After last nights 3-1 win over Burnley, McCarthy and Doyle are likely to remain in the top flight next season.
"He loves it where he is. It's what makes the world go around, if a bigger, better, richer club gets in his head like any other player. But let me say, no-one would turn his head.
"I hope he scores another five or six goals and he is brilliant, keeps us up and everyone wants him and then we have a problem to deal with. I'd like to have that problem," added McCarthy, who was delighted with Doyle's selfless display in last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and his goal and contribution to the defeat of Burnley on Tuesday evening.
"He has had another great performance. We knew what we were buying. He was our signature player. I knew what I was buying and he's been everything I thought and probably more."
Wigan are aware that Arsenal have been keeping a special eye on McCarthy this season and it seems that a summer move for the Glasgow native is inevitable, but boss Martinez wants to keep McCarthy, and highly-rated forward Victor Moses, at the club.
"Can Wigan keep them? You'll have to ask the chairman that but I think they want to play 60 games for Wigan and them move on to the next level, but they are not ready for that yet," said Martinez.
"Maybe because they are ready to play in the Premier League now at that young age shows they are mature, but I don't think they want to go anywhere else."
One Team In Ireland : Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is resigned to losing star striker Kevin Doyle if one of the Premier League's big guns come in for him at the end of the season.
The £6.5million signing from Reading has impressed McCarthy with his all-round play, despite only scoring six goals this season.
McCarthy has deployed the Ireland international as a lone striker in a revamped 4-5-1 formation that has reaped rewards in recent weeks, with a 1-0 win over Tottenham and a point against Liverpool, which have lifted Wolves out of the relegation zone.
McCarthy said: "I'd hate to put a value on Kevin. He is a very, very good Premier League player.
"He is playing for a team scrapping at the bottom, he has scored his six goals, he has caused everyone he has played against problems.
"He started off with a hernia when he came here so he got off to a slow start, missed games, then came back and wasn't fully fit.
"But since he has got fit, he has proved to be the player he was two or three years ago in the Premier League when he scored 12-14 goals."
When asked if Doyle could become a target for clubs this summer, McCarthy admitted: "Look, when someone plays well, that goes with the territory.
"I never lose any sleep about anything like that, because I can't do anything about it.
"It doesn't concern me at all. Doyley came here and is loving it and, if we stay up, we are a Premier League club and he would still be loving it.
"But if someone like a Manchester United come in and ask and offer, it is bloody hard work then isn't it?"
McCarthy is unsurprised Doyle has made such an effective switch from operating in a 4-4-2 formation to his current role as the sole forward player.
He said: "Kevin is relishing it. He has played the role before. He has a very good understanding of it. He loves it. He is up against two centre-halves, occupies them for most of the game.
"I think he has got better. I thought he was a top-drawer signing or I wouldn't have paid what I paid for him when I went out and did it."
Wolves striker Kevin Doyle believes that Ireland are capable of upsetting France in their upcoming World Cup play-off games.
The striker feels that, despite their underdog status, Ireland have an excellent chance of advancing to South Africa at the expense of Raymond Domenech's side, beaten finalists in Germany in 2006.
"We're feeling confident we can win although other people will feel we don't have much chance," Doyle told BBC Sport.
The 26-year-old was unfazed when his side were drawn against the 1998 world champions, and is confident of progressing after a strong campaign in the group stages.
"There's a reason why they are in the play-off draw because they haven't done well in their group," he said.
"We drew with Italy twice and we could have easily beaten them.
"They are the world champions and we can do the same against France.
"I've played against bigger teams all my life and got results against them. I don't fear them. I'm looking forward to it."
With the first leg to be played on Saturday at Croke Park, Doyle believes that a clean sheet will give Ireland an excellent chance, putting the onus on the oppositon in the return leg at Stade de France.
"That would be massive for us. Do that and go to Paris and score a goal there," added Doyle.
"That's what we're going to have to do to go through."
On the back of an unbeaten group campaign, Doyle believes that there is confidence within the squad to seize the chance to fulfil a personal ambition.
"Getting to the World Cup would be a dream," he added.
"I've just gone 26 and I don't know if I'll get another chance in four years. We have the chance to do it now."
Ireland assistant manager Liam Brady has said that former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy had “thrown them a dummy” over the availability of Kevin Doyle for Ireland’s friendly against Australia on Wednesday.
Speaking after the team trained in Tipperary today, Brady said that Doyle would be able to play for 45 minutes on Wednesday.
Brady said: “Mick McCarthy threw us a dummy last week. He said to me to tell the manager that it was very unlikely that he would be here.
“He had an operation and he said that there was a little infection in the wound and he wasn’t going to be able to participate in their friendly match on Saturday.
“But things changed. Mick rang me on Saturday and said that Doyle would be playing and he would get half an hour and therefore he could have 45 minutes for us against Australia.”
Brady said he was delighted at the positive news on Kevin Doyle, as well as being pleased with having an almost full squad, but said that Leon Best was “doubtful” for the game.
Brady continued - “Leon Best is a doubt, he is going to have an examination in Coventry and they are going to let us know if he is available to join the squad, but I have to say it’s doubtful.”
Ireland striker Kevin Doyle admits the speed of Mick McCarthy’s advances convinced him to join Barclays Premier League newcomers Wolves.
Doyle completed his record-breaking £6.5million move from Reading late on Monday night after undergoing a medical.
The 25-year-old joins Wolves on a four-year contract believed to be worth £35,000-a-week after spending a week considering his options.
The much sought-after Ireland international was being chased by half-a-dozen top-flight clubs including Sunderland, Fulham, Bolton, Everton and Aston Villa. Tottenham and West Ham also joined the race late.
Wolves were the first club to open talks with Doyle and had already triggered the £6.5m release clause in his contract with Reading, who paid Cork City just £78,000 for his services in 2005.
Wolves made contact with the Royals immediately after their exit from the Championship play-offs at the hands of Burnley in May and quickly had a bid accepted.
Nothing happened for a month as the Wexford man returned home to recover from a calf strain sustained in the first leg of the play-off semi-final.
But after meeting with Wolves boss McCarthy and being shown around the club’s facilities last week, he needed just seven days to mull it over.
Everton and Aston Villa attempted to hijack the deal at the 11th hour on Monday night but Doyle’s mind was already made up — even though he could
have earned more elsewhere.
He becomes Wolves’ third signing after Nenad Milihas and Doyle’s former Reading team-mate, Marcus Hahnemann.
Unveiled yesterday morning, Doyle thanked Wolves for their expedience. ‘The fact that the day the season was over they put in a phone call and had a bid accepted, that interest straight away made me think “they’re keen”.
‘They came in and settled things with Reading so they were the first club I spoke to. I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straight away.
‘I spoke to the manager and chief executive over a week ago and came to the training ground to see everything. I’ve been making my mind up over the last couple of weeks and am just really pleased the decision has been made.
‘The facilities here are top class and it’s great to be going back to the Premier League again. I’m sad to be leaving Reading because I had some great years but I’m going with their blessing, which is nice. This is a fresh start.’
His exit signals the start of the break-up of Reading’s Irish contingent with winger Stephen Hunt next to move this summer, leaving Shane Long, Noel Hunt, Jay Tabb
and David Mooney at the Madejski Stadium while Doyle swaps one Irish camp for another.
He will settle in quickly with fellow internationals Andy Keogh and Kevin Foley already in the Wolves squad as well as former Under 21 forward Stephen Ward, while boss McCarthy played for and managed the national side.
Doyle will also link up again with American goalkeeper Hahnemann, who joined Wolves for free last month and who also influenced the striker’s thinking.
‘I’m leaving one set of Irish lads to join another as well as obviously knowing Marcus,’ he said. ‘It always makes it that little bit easier to settle in when there are a few faces you recognise.’
Doyle shot to prominence in Reading’s first season in the Premier League and hit the back of the net 13 times in 28 appearances — just the sort of firepower McCarthy will want to keep Wolves from avoiding the drop.
However, the FAI Player of the Year insists the top flight should hold no fears for the newly-promoted club after Reading’s amazing eighth place in 2006/07, when they narrowly missed out on Europe before relegation a season later.
He said: ‘We finished a point and a goal away from Europe when I went up with Reading. I don’t know why we did so well but we all went in there wide-eyed, excited and fresh to play and that got us through.
‘But it’s not a completely different world and you realise you can do well there. I wanted to get back there with Reading but we didn’t do it last season.
‘I’m delighted to be joining what is historically a massive club and one which will be trying to establish itself in the Premier League.’
Wolves have signed striker Kevin Doyle from Reading for a club record fee believed to be about £6.5m.
The 25-year-old Ireland international had been linked with other top-flight clubs but has signed a four-year deal with the Molineux side.
"Wolves were the first club that came in and settled things with Reading and so they were the first club I spoke to," he told the Wolves website.
"I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straightaway."
Doyle scored 18 goals in the Championship last season but failed to steer Reading to promotion as they finished fourth but were beaten by Burnley in the play-off semi-finals.
He becomes manager Mick McCarthy's third summer signing following the arrivals of midfielder Nenad Milijas and keeper Marcus Hahnemann
"I'm delighted to get the move sorted and can't wait to get going," added Doyle.
"I spoke to the manager and chief executive Jez Moxey over a week ago and came to the training ground to see everything.
"I've been making my mind up over the last couple of weeks and am just really pleased the decision has been made.
"The facilities here are top class and it's great to be going back into the Premier League again."
Doyle had a stint in the Premier League with Reading and scored 13 goals in 32 outings in the 2006/07 campaign.
But he notched just eight in 36 the following season as the Royals were relegated.
He added: "I'm sad to be leaving Reading because I had some great years there but I'm going with their blessing as well which is nice. This is a fresh start."
Wolves owner Steve Morgan believes the club are still in the running to sign Reading striker Kevin Doyle.
Bolton Wanderers have matched the £6.5 million asking price with Fulham and Sunderland also thought to be interested in the Ireland international.
Newly-promoted Wolves have held talks with Doyle and Morgan maintains manager Mick McCarthy can bring the player to Molineux.
'Kevin Doyle is a quality player and all the players we’re talking to are quality players,' said Morgan.
“If someone like him becomes available, then we have to be interested. We’re having very constructive talks with several players at the moment.”
“'I’d like to think we’ll make further announcements in the next week or two. I wouldn’t say we’re pushing the boat out – the club has a budget that we will work to.”
'But we’re determined to bring quality to the club
Ireland striker Kevin Doyle is set to be out of action for up to a month with a calf injury.
The Ireland international sustained the problem in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Burnley and will now miss Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier with Bulgaria on June 6.
Doyle's injury is a blow to Ireland and Trapattoni may decide to start with a Robbie Keane/Caleb Folan front line.
Reading physio Jon Fearn said "Kevin has damaged muscle in his calf but the scans show no damage to the Achilles tendon. It`s difficult to assess how long he`ll be out, but it should be no more than four weeks."
