Miller makes Republic squad

Celtic midfielder Liam Miller and Nottingham Forest winger Andy Reid are the two uncapped players named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly game against Canada at Lansdowne Road on November 18.

Miller and Reid are in a squad of 23 players named by manager Brian Kerr which sees a return for Southampton’s utility man Rory Delap, who has not played for the Republic since the scoreless draw with Greece in Athens on November 20 last year.

Skipper Kenny Cunningham returns after a one match ban which kept him out of the 2-0 defeat in the Group 10 Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland in Basle last month.

West Ham striker David Connolly and Everton midfielder Lee Carsley are ruled out by injuries and Aston Villa midfielder Mark Kinsella is rested.

Kerr said: “I want to have a look at other players. Mark needs to be playing on a regular basis for the club, but that hasn’t been the case in recent times.

“He is still very much a part of my future plans because of his experience.

Celtic star Miller, scorer of one of the goals in the 3-0 Champions League victory over Belgian side Anderlecht at Parkhead, seems destined for a lengthy international career.

“Like Andy Reid, this is an opportunity to look at players like Miller,” said Kerr.

“Martin O’Neill, his boss at Celtic, has used him sparingly this season. But I know Miller from his days playing for the Irish youth teams and know that he is a level- headed lad.

“He won’t be phased by all the publicity, although we know the potential is there,” said Kerr.

“Andy Reid has also made good progress at Nottingham Forest and can play in a number of positions.

“It’s always a big step from club football into senior international football. So we’ll just wait and see.”

Republic of Ireland squad to play Canada in the friendly international at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday, November 18 (kick off 7.30pm):

Given (Newcastle), Murphy (West Brom), Colgan (Stockport), Harte (Leeds), Finnan (Liverpool), O’Shea (Man Utd), Carr (Tottenham), Cunningham (Birmingham), Breen (Sunderland), O’Brien (Newcastle), S Reid (Blackburn), Healy (Sunderland), Holland (Charlton), Miller (Celtic), Delap (Southampton), Kavanagh (Cardiff), McPhail (Nottm For), Kilbane (Everton), A Reid (Nottm For), Duff (Chelsea), Doherty (Tottenham), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Birmingham).