Duo back for Ireland

Keane missing
The Irish, second in Group 10, are without star forward Robbie Keane through injury and Kerr has named a 24-man squad in case of further withdrawals. Striker Lee last played for the Republic against Georgia in June and has since made a €1m move to Cardiff City FC from Rotherham United FC. McPhail has also been on the move, the midfield player joining Nottingham Forest FC on a three-month loan from Leeds United AFC.

Player praise
Kerr said: "Alan scored for his new club on Monday and that will have given him confidence. And it's good that Stephen is getting first-team football at Forest."

Decision time
The coach, who has included midfield players Lee Carsley and Steven Reid despite recent injuries, added that he wanted as many experienced faces in the squad as possible at this crucial stage of the qualifying campaign. Kerr added: "This is not the time for blooding new potential talent."

Second spot
His team will also play Turkey on 10 September in a friendly. Ireland have ten points from six games in Group 10 - two behind leaders Switzerland. Russia, meanwhile, are in third place with seven points from five games.

Ireland squad
Given, Colgan, Murphy, Breen, Carr, Cunningham, Dunne, Harte, O'Brien, O'Shea, Carsley, Finnan, Healy, Holland, Kilbane, Kinsella, McPhail, A Quinn, S Reid, Connolly, Doherty, Duff, Lee, Morrison.