Kerr makes six changes for China clash

Ireland manager Brian Kerr has made expected sweeping changes for tonight’s friendly against China at Lansdowne Road.

The team shows six changes to the one held to a 1-1 draw by Israel in Tel Aviv in a World Cup Group Four qualifying encounter on Saturday.

Kerr confirmed on Sunday that Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, Manchester City defender Richard Dunne, Tottenham winger Andy Reid and Wigan midfielder Graham Kavanagh would all start.

Also included in the line-up are Leicester defender Alan Maybury and Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott, the latter earning only his second cap as Kerr looks to give the 21-year-old much-needed experience.

Out go Newcastle trio Shay Given, Andy O’Brien and Stephen Carr, with Kerr appreciating their forthcoming workload as the Magpies fight on in the FA and UEFA Cups.

Also omitted are Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, Liverpool’s Steve Finnan and Birmingham forward Clinton Morrison, despite scoring the eighth goal of his international career against the Israelis.

The five survivors from Saturday are skipper Kenny Cunningham, John O’Shea, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane.

Team to start versus China: Kenny, Maybury, Cunningham, Dunne, O’Shea, Kavanagh, Reid, Kilbane, Duff, Keane, Elliott.