That means keeper Shay Given will line up behind a back four of John O’Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and Kevin Kilbane, while Glenn Whelan retains his place in a midfield four also including Liam Lawrence, Paul Green and Aiden McGeady despite having been booked in Yerevan.

Skipper Robbie Keane will once again partner Kevin Doyle in attack, although Trapattoni intends to give other players a chance from the bench, providing that the game goes the way he hopes.

Defender Darren O’Dea has returned to his club after being ruled out of tomorrow night’s game.

The 23-year-old Ipswich player last week underwent a scan on a knee injury, which revealed a slight sprain, and although he was included in the party which flew out to Yerevan last Wednesday, he did not make the 18 for the 1-0 victory over Armenia.

O’Dea was able to train at Gannon Park in Malahide yesterday, but has since been withdrawn and has gone back to Ipswich for treatment.

He becomes the fourth member of the squad to pull out, following Damien Duff, Keith Andrews and Keith Treacy on to the sidelines.

A fifth casualty, Paul McShane, is back in training after recovering from the hamstring problem which prevented his participation in Armenia.