Irish manager Mick McCarthy, due to announce his squad yesterday for two forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, decided instead to hang fire until after last night's English and European soccer matches.

McCarthy was to have named his squad for the matches against Portugal on October 7 and Estonia on October 11 - but with so many potential members in Champions League or Worthington Cup action last night, the Irish manager decided to postpone his announcement until he could check on the fitness of his players this morning.

Roy Keane, Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Stephen McPhail, Steve Carr and Matt Holland are some of the key squad members McCarthy will be telephoning this morning.

McCarthy is now expected to name his panel later today, according to FAI press officer Brendan McKenna.