The Manchester United midfielder is joined by Stephen Carr in the travelling party as the Newcastle right-back sat out last month’s 1-0 friendly victory over Portugal as he had only just returned to duty at club level after missing 14 matches with a knee injury.

For Kerr, it is the same contingent of players who gained crucial away points in their matches against Switzerland and France to leave them top of the group after four matches on goal difference from the French and Israelis.

With the Swiss also facing France on Easter Saturday, the weekend could prove a pivotal one as the group reaches the halfway stage on the road to Germany and the 2006 finals.

But with Israel so far having exceeded expectations – also drawing in Paris and holding Switzerland at home – Kerr feels the home fans will be demanding more of the same inside the Ramat-Gan Stadium.

“I’m sure they will be well prepared,” insisted Kerr.

“They have a clever manager, they’ve very good attacking players – and I think that’s where their strength lies, although overall they are a strong side.

“They had a very good result in Paris, a decent result at home to Switzerland, and they beat Cyprus home and away so they will be in confident mood, particularly at home. We’ve had them watched and I would say this is probably the best team they’ve had in a while.

“But although they might be confident, they will be under pressure from their own support. There’ll be a huge expectation and they’ll have to deal with it.”

While Kerr will be happy with another point away from home, he is not prepared to play for the draw and is adamant he will “have a go” against a side he feels do occasionally leak goals, as their recent 3-3 friendly draw with Croatia testifies.

“I’m rarely disappointed if we draw away and win at home,” added Kerr.

“Most league tables are won by teams that can win at home, draw away and sometimes win away. But unless you win your home matches, there is not much of an advantage gained, so the team that can win away matches will have more of an impact on the group.

“It means our approach will be to have a go. We don’t see any sense in sitting back and letting teams come on to us and try to play on the break. I don’t think we’re comfortable with that way of thinking, nor do we have the physical strength for that way of playing, so we’ve got to go and play and get the best result.”

Kerr, meanwhile, has no worries about the security situation in Israel despite the terrorist bomb blast which killed five people in Tel Aviv a fortnight ago.

“I am happy there will be as many as 2,000 Irish fans travelling to the game,” insisted Kerr.

“There are just as many people killed in Dublin and places round the country as is the case with Tel Aviv.

“We have been reassured by the Israelis that security for the match will be excellent, and having taken Irish teams at youth level three times in the past to Israel, I know they are well prepared.”