The Elland Road pair have made more than 80 appearances between them for David O'Leary's staggeringly successful young side this season.

And it would have been more but for Kelly needing an operation on a calf muscle in February which sidelined him for six weeks.

But McCarthy, who has decided to omit Leeds' £13m striker Robbie Keane and Wimbledon's Kenny Cunningham to save them the risk of second bookings that would incur suspensions for the vital clash with Portugal in June, was determined to keep the full-back partnership intact.

With Tottenham's Stephen Carr available again after a hernia operation, McCarthy could easily have also rested Kelly, who reported fit for the squad despite an ankle knock that still required treatment on Monday.

However, the Republic boss said: "They have played a lot of games but I have no concerns about them whatsoever. They are flying. And that's because they are doing so well and enjoying it.

"Tiredness is not a problem for young, fit guys like these when you are battling for success in competitions rather than just playing out the season in mid-table.

"I know that if I said to them 'look, you've played a lot of games and we don't need you this time', I would have had two very unhappy lads banging my door down.

"They've both got a great attitude and love playing for their country. I think sometimes managers put negative thoughts about being leg-weary into players' heads. It is just not the case with these two.

"I know how they feel. It will have been a very tough season for them, but in their situation, if somebody had come to me as a player and said I'd been left out because of too much football, I would have gone ballistic.

"Gary has delighted me with his attitude. We knew only on Monday that he would be fit and with a top-class international like Stevie Carr around again I could have rested him, but I've made enough changes for this game already."