Morrison and Elliott start up front

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton named his strongest possible line-up for the Lansdowne Road friendly against Holland.

Steven Reid was handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Robbie Keane and Shay Given, the latter replaced by Paddy Kenny in goal for his first start for almost 15 months.

Stephen Carr returned from retirement to take up the right-back role, with John O’Shea, Andy O’Brien and Kevin Kilbane joining him in defence.

Celtic’s Aiden McGeady was given his first start on winning his fifth cap on the left wing, with Reid and Graham Kavanagh in the centre of midfield and Steve Finnan on the right.

In attack, Staunton opted for Stephen Elliott and Clinton Morrison, with Kevin Doyle – perhaps the one surprise omission – on the bench.

Holland coach Marco van Basten, without Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark van Bommel, handed debuts to Stijn Schaars and rising star Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

There were still familiar faces in the starting line-up in Edwin van der Sar, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.

Rep of Ireland v Holland teams

Rep of Ireland: Kenny, Carr, Andrew O’Brien, O’Shea, Kilbane, Finnan, Reid, Kavanagh, McGeady, Morrison, Elliott.

Subs: Douglas, Miller, Kelly, Henderson, Alan O’Brien, Murphy, Doyle.

Holland: Van der Sar, Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, De Cler, Landzaat, Van der Vaart, Schaars, Van Persie, Huntelaar, Robben.

Subs: Jaliens, Emanuelson, De Jong, Janssen, Timmer, Kuyt, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Referee: Thomas Henning (Norway)