Heimir Hallgrimsson intends to go with an experienced starting side when the Republic of Ireland line out against Qatar at Aviva Stadium tonight.
The friendly is the first of two in this current window, with a trip to Montreal to face Canada at the end of next week.
That latter fixture is the one that the Ireland manager has targeted for more experimentation after selecting a squad which blends vast experience with a host of emerging options, including uncapped 18-year-olds Mason Melia, Jaden Umeh and Adam Brennan.
Hallgrimsson Prioritises Experience
“Given the time we have, more or less this is the only day we have a proper training with everybody ready and fit, so we will go for experience (tonight), and start with the ones that have been with us before,” Hallgrimsson confirmed at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference at FAI HQ.
“It gives us then another week to prepare the younger guys for the Canada match.
“Hopefully we can give some of them some time on the pitch (tonight), but given this is a strong opponent going for the World Cup, I know them quite well. I know we need experience when we play them, so we go for that.”
Parrott’s Fitness Boost
The Ireland boss also said Troy Parrott should be able to play a part against a Qatar side managed by Julen Lopetegui.
The AZ Alkmaar striker had to come off after 37 minutes of the final Eredivisie game of the season on 17 May.
“Troy was taken off early in his last game and sat out the final game of the season,” his international manager said.
“But he is OK, he did some individual training (on Tuesday) and then he came and joined the training, just (for) assessment.
“We’ll take it carefully with him but he’s fit and everybody is fit.”
Withdrawals Reshape Ireland Squad
The squad needed reshaping by Monday in the wake of a host of withdrawals from the original selection.
Andrew Omobamidele was ruled out due to injury and Ryan Manning will also not be involved.
Central midfield is the area most hit by withdrawals.
Alan Browne, Alex Gilbert and Finn Azaz are all unavailable in the wake of the eventful Championship play-offs.
Dawson Devoy and Conor Coventry will also only link up with the squad in the build-up to Canada.
One of Killian Phillips and Jamie McGrath is in line to start alongside Jayson Molumby tonight, with Hallgrimsson describing them as “both good options”, after initially leaving them out of the original squad.
Molumby himself is only going to be involved against Qatar, having been part of the training camp and friendly against Grenada in Murcia earlier in May.
Hallgrimsson said he had absolutely no issue with those that have withdrawn given the valid reasons for their non-availability.
But he did add that other players could use the opportunity to move up the pecking order going into the Nations.