With a lengthy summer get-together culminating with a week-long trip to the United States, it's safe to assume that the strength in depth of Irish senior options will be tested with new players.
One player who could come into the frame is Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who qualifies for Ireland and has stepped in to deputise for Tim Krul at Premier League level.
There had been suggestions that although he has represented Ireland at underage level, Elliot was unsure about committing.
Goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly put that to bed yesterday by saying that his counterpart at Newcastle, Andy Woodman, had been in touch to let him know of Elliot's availability.
"I watched him in the European games and he's in the Newcastle side. I give the manager the options and he makes the decisions," said Kelly.
But ... what happens when Krul returns to the Newcastle team?
Giovanni Trapattoni always insists his players must be match fit, and he even put pressure on Irish legend Shay Given when he was out of the Man City side.
Given, thinking of his international career, moved to Aston Villa.
Source: Newcastle United Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
