Having been rewarded for placing his faith in one young centre half over the past couple of months, Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy looks set to hand another his first cap for the friendly against Finland at Lansdowne Road.
Over the past two years, 20-year-old Jason Gavin has established himself in Ireland's underage teams, helping the Republic to the European Youth Championship title in Cyprus before graduating to the under-21 side managed by Don Givens. Yesterday Gavin was the only new name in the squad named by McCarthy for the Finland game on November 15th.
The young man has done well in difficult circumstances with his club, Middlesbrough, so far this season. His inclusion for Wednesday week's senior match will give McCarthy an opportunity to gauge his potential to step into the breach if injuries or suspensions were to leave him shorthanded at the heart of the defence.
"I just want to have a look at him," said the manager. "He's playing Premiership football now and he's done reasonably well. We don't have too much strength-in-depth in that position, so he deserves his chance."
McCarthy added that, while the match gives him a chance to see the player, it also allows Gavin to "get a feel" for the international set up, an opportunity the manager intends to afford several other of the younger players available. A number, said McCarthy, will be brought over to train with the squad in the days leading up to the game, even though they will not be part of the official panel. He has not confirmed any names, remarking only that he will "ask a few clubs whether I can bring players over, although I won't be looking to step on anybody's toes". Barry Quinn, Gary Doherty and Colin Healy are all likely candidates.
Far from using the game for experimentation, though, McCarthy has stuck with virtually the same squad that he took to Lisbon last month. The most notable exception is
Blackburn Rovers winger Damien Duff, who is omitted due to a problem with a hamstring injury.
With the team playing well and confidence high, McCarthy admitted he is looking to build momentum in both this friendly and the one against Denmark in the New Year, before his side returns to competitive action against Cyprus and Andorra in March.
"Consistency breeds confidence, and it would be nice if I could name the same team for a fourth game in succession," said McCarthy, although he insisted he will also look to give players like Dominic Foley, Steve Finnan and Matt Holland further opportunities to show that they can do.
Manchester City winger Mark Kennedy and Sporting Lisbon defender Phil Babb were again not considered for selection.
Both are due a court appearance just 48 hours before the Finland game, arising out of incidents in a Dublin street prior to the match with Holland in September.
Kennedy and Babb were sent home in disgrace and left out of the squads for the Republic's World Cup qualifiers against the Dutch, Portugal and Estonia.
But they may be considered for the match against Denmark in Dublin in February.
Republic Of Ireland Squad (v Finland): Kelly (Blackburn Rovers), Given (Newcastle Utd), Kiely (Charlton Athletic); Kelly (Leeds Utd), Carr (Tottenham), Staunton (Crystal Palace), Harte (Leeds Utd), Breen (Coventry City), Dunne (Manchester City), Gavin (Middlesbrough); Keane (Manchester Utd), Kinsella (Charlton Athletic), Carsley (Blackburn Rovers), McAteer (Blackburn Rovers), Holland (Ipswich Town), Kilbane (Sunderland), Finnan (Fulham), Delap (Derby County); Quinn (Sunderland), Keane (Inter Milan), Connolly (Excelsior), Foley (Watford).
