Soccer: Staunton makes 88th appearance

Mick McCarthy has named his side to face Portugal in the crunch World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road this afternoon.

Both McCarthy’s first choice central defenders have failed to prove their fitness for today’s game against one of the world’s most exciting attacking teams.

Steve Staunton and Gary Breen must form a make shift partnership for the game.

The team in full is: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Richard Dunne, Steve Staunton, Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Mark Kinsella, Roy Keane, Kevin Kilbane, Robbie Keane and Niall Quinn.