Giovanni Trapattoni has been forced to name his side for tomorrow night’s friendly with Croatia minus Kevin Doyle.
The Wolves striker will miss the start of the Premier League season this weekend due to a knee injury and will be out of action for up to three weeks.
It will be touch and go for Doyle to be fit in time to face Slovakia in a vital Euro 2012 qualifier on 2 September.
Meanwhile, Trapattoni fields a strong side to face the Croats at the Aviva tomorrow night despite a plethora of sick notes from top players.
Shane Long starts upfront alongside skipper Robbie Keane, Shay Given stands behind a solid central defensive partnership of Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger with experienced players like Damien Duff and Stephen Hunt included in the line-up.
There has been a late call-up for Chelsea starlet Conor Clifford to the squad to provide cover at central midfield for Darron Gibson and Glenn Whelan.
Ireland team v Croatia: Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Stephen Hunt, Shane Long, Robbie Keane.
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