Soccer: McCarthy to experiment with Connolly/Doherty pairing

Mark Kennedy's spell in the international wilderness was ended by Ireland manager Mick McCarthy this afternoon when the Manchester City winger was named in the starting eleven to face Andorra in Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

Kennedy has been named on the right flank, with Sunderland's Kevin Kilbane on the left.

The Dubliner's last match in the green was against South Africa last June - three months before being charged with criminal damage of a policewoman's car outside Ireland's largest police headquarters.

McCarthy stated his pleasure that the 24-year-old is back, saying that the Maine Roader is definitely ready for an international return: "He's looked good in training. He's not played that many games but he's somebody who can unlock a defence, and I'm sure that's what we'll need."

Gary Doherty makes a rare appearance up front at international level, and will partner Feyenoord's David Connolly.

Of this move, the Irish boss stated: "Gary's not played too many international games at full international level, has he? But he played in Andorra and did very well in that game, so I think it provides a little bit of continuity. We need that aerial threat, to change the way we play a little bit.

"They've looked good in training. Dave has looked very sharp this week, and Gary is always a threat because he has good movement. For a guy who plays centre-back, he plays very well in terms of picking up positions. We'll put them out together and see what happens Wednesday night."

Charlton's Mark Kinsella passed a late fitness test on a toe injury, but a calf strain to Steve Finnan and Kenny Cunningham's groin strain keeps those two out, along with the previously withdrawn Roy Keane and Niall Quinn, who are also injured.

Quinn would have made his 83rd international appearance against the Andorrans, and would have been bidding the break the Irish international goalscoring record of 20 he holds with Frank Stapleton.

Ireland: Given (Newcastle), Kelly (Leeds), Dunne (Man City), Breen (Coventry, capt), Harte (Leeds), Kennedy (Man City), Kinsella (Charlton), Holland (Ipswich), Kilbane (Sunderland), Doherty (Tottenham), Connolly (Feyenoord).

Andorra (probable): Alfonso Sanchez, Agusti Pol, Jesus Lucendo, Roberto Jonas, Antoni Lima, Ildefons Lima, Oscar Sonajee, Jordi Escura, Emiliano Gonzalez, Juli Sanchez, Justo Ruiz.

Referee: Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland)