Carr starts in defence

World Cup Group 4 Qualifier latest:

Republic of Ireland v Cyprus 3pm

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr opted for Newcastle’s Stephen Carr at right-back ahead of Liverpool’s Steve Finnan in what was his only dilemma ahead of his side’s opening World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

With David Connolly sidelined by a calf injury for the Group Four clash at Lansdowne Road, Robbie Keane was joined in attack by Clinton Morrison, despite an international goal drought lasting 745 minutes for the Birmingham striker.

Roy Keane, Matt Holland, Rory Delap and Liam Miller were also injured, so Kerr was forced into an untried quartet across the middle of Damien Duff, Kevin Kilbane, Graham Kavanagh and Andy Reid.

With Switzerland looming on Wednesday in Basle, Kerr was demanding nothing less than three points from his side’s first competitive fixture for 11 months following a string of friendlies.