thursday friendlies

[Mr.]

Possible teams:


Ireland: Shay Given; Steve Finnan, Ian Harte, Kenny Cunningham, Steve Staunton; Jason McAteer, Roy Keane, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Kilbane; Damien Duff, Robbie Keane.


Nigeria: Austin Ejide; Joseph Yobo, Isaac Okoronkwo, Efe Sodje, Justice Christopher; Eric Ejiofor, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka; Bartholomew Ogbeche, Julius Aghahowa.

Reuters

 

[Mr.]

going to play a small play on South Korea -.5 this morning....good luck!

 

[Mr.]

Roy's Keane to lead out Irish

Mick McCarthy is set to name his first choice Republic of Ireland team for the friendly against Nigeria - which would mean them being led by Roy Keane.

Captain Keane sparked a minor scare when he failed to put in an appearance at Niall Quinn's testimonial.

There were fears the Manchester United star's troublesome hip would jeopardise his chances of leading the Republic at the World Cup finals.

McCarthy's team is unbeaten at home for two years and he wants to leave for Saipan on a winning note, and he hopes Keane will have a run out at Lansdowne Road.

"I am leaning towards starting with as strong a team as I can," said the Republic boss.

"As far as I am aware, Roy is fine, and I'll be talking to him before I name my team. We do well here at Lansdowne Road. We have a good record and we want to continue it. We certainly don't want to lose prior to going to the World Cup."

McCarthy will not be changing his entire team at half-time, as he did against Sunderland on Tuesday, but he will be hoping to introduce a few substitutes as the night progresses.

One man likely to figure is Millwall winger Steven Reid, who was handed a last-minute call-up yesterday after Wolves' Mark Kennedy pulled out with the recurrence of a groin problem.

"I have no worries about Steven taking Mark's place, he is a good lad and has done very well for us," said McCarthy. "Mark would have been cover for the wide positions, so Stephen will now take that mantle."

Arsenal striker Kanu and Celestine Babayaro of Chelsea are both likely to feature against the Irish as they push for a place in NIgeria's 23-man squad, which should be named at the weekend.

 

[Mr.]

can't lay off the irish here.....I'll take them as well at -.5.....good luck!