Kerr happy as battle for places hots up

NOTWITHSTANDING the absence of Roy Keane and Stephen Carr, manager Brian Kerr says that the Republic of Ireland team he fields tonight against Portugal at Lansdowne Road “won’t be too far” from the strongest 11 he has in mind for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Israel.

Kerr confirmed that Robbie Keane and Clinton Morrison will start up front tonight, with Damien Duff and Andy Reid providing the width, in a return to the 4-4-2 formation he abandoned for last November's friendly against Croatia.

However Kerr said he still has decisions to make about central midfield and the centre-half pairing, and also indicated that a number of changes will be made during the game as six changes are allowed.