And of paramount importance to the Irish is the opportunity to extend boss Brian Kerr’s winning run to seven matches and go into next month’s crucial European Championship qualifying double-header against Russia and Switzerland in good heart.

The Birmingham defender’s attitude is reflected in Kerr’s strong squad which suffered only two withdrawals from 23 initial names despite the rigours of the Barclaycard Premiership kick-off last Saturday.

Cunningham said: “This match is an important stepping-stone for us. It’s billed as a friendly but it’s important we put in a good performance because we don’t want to go into the Russia game on the back of a defeat or a sub-standard performance.

“I think everybody knows that this game has great value for us and it is going to be a good test.

“Every player wants to be involved in those two squads for Russia and Switzerland and this gives them the opportunity to come over and impress themselves upon the manager that they deserve a place in the starting line-up.”

Boss Kerr admitted he was pleasantly surprised that the withdrawals were restricted to last week’s pull-outs of Steven Reid and Lee Carsley.

He once again intends to field a side not dissimilar to the one he has in mind for the forthcoming qualifiers and the only definite departure he has in mind is to hand Stockport goalkeeper Nick Colgan his first full start.

Colgan, who joined the Division Two outfit from Hibernian in the summer, has impressed Kerr in his three substitute appearances to date.

Kerr said: “Nick has been working hard with the group and as the current number two we need him to have some experience if he is going to play in a lot of big games.

“We were well off for goalkeepers and it was unfortunate that Alan Kelly and Dean Kiely both retired in such a short space of time.

“I want Nick to start although I am sure Shay Given will also play some part in the game.”

Kerr is also delighted to have Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison back in his squad after a spate of injuries, and Morrison should start up front despite missing his club’s opener against Tottenham at the weekend.

Kerr added: “Clinton has shown great potential and I am glad he is back in contention.

“He played two pre-season games but he hasn’t had a lot of football recently and I haven’t seen a lot of him.”

Kerr will weigh up a number of factors including tired limbs from the weekend or periods of inactivity before naming his final line-up.

But the chosen 11 will be left in no doubt that they are playing for their places in the crucial matches to come next month.

Kerr added: “We will have a strong team out and I don’t think it will be too far away from my best team. Having said that if players need a rest I will give them a rest.

“The Australians have a very good attitude to the game and their approach to the England game was top-class.

“They played with great pride and passion but I think we can match that. I don’t think anybody has a better attitude to friendlies than us. I know both sides will be going for it.”

Australia boss Frank Farina has admitted that continuing uncertainty over Oceania’s World Cup place is hampering his immediate plans.

But he will not alter his side’s vigorous approach to friendlies which peaked with the stunning 3-1 win over England.

His squad included Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and England’s chief tormentor Brett Emerton and all were expected to play a significant part provided they showed no late ill-effects to the Premiership start.

Farina said: “Ireland are a very good team. I have seen them recently against Albania and Georgia and it will be very difficult.

“We’ve got a big monster around our neck after beating England and now we must feed that monster by always getting good results, but we know Ireland are going to be hard to beat.”