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The squad trained at Malahide before flying out. Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers) and Stephen Carr (’Spurs) were excused from training because of knocks they received during the week-end games.
Both are expected to be fully fit by Saturday.
Meantime, the elevation of Wexford born striker Kevin Doyle to the senior squad has signaled the opportunities that are there for budding young strikers.
Doyle won 11 caps at U21 level and was transferred to Reading for a reported €80,000 from Cork City in June. Previously he played for St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Ireland’s manager, like every other manager in the game, is forever searching for a player with the priceless ability to score goals and Doyle, who is 22, might make his senior debut over the next week.
Kerr will look to juggle his forces up front when Ireland play Cyprus and Switzerland for they must win both matches if they are to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in Germany.
Stephen Elliott (Sunderland) and the recalled David Connolly (Wigan) are others who, like Doyle, will be working hard in training to try and impress the manager.