Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has named his squad for the games against Portugal in Lisbon on October 7 and Estonia at Lansdowne Road four days later.

As suspected Phil Babb and Mark Kennedy fail to make it after the high-jinx in Dublin before the Holland game. McCarthy's hand was probably forced by the association as both players still face a court date over their antics.

Leeds United's Stephen McPhail misses out too, but he could well be called up late if he can prove his fitness because Rory Delap is included even though he is currently injured.

McCarthy has named a strong-looking midfield with the return of Lee Carsley to the squad. Roy Keane and Mark Kinsella will more than likely start both games but it is nice to have Carsley there to fall back on.

There is no surprise in the fact that Richard Dunne keeps his place at the back because Wimbledon's Kenny Cunningham is just back training after a lengthy absence due to injury. Dunne and Gary Breen had a great game in Holland and let's hope they can repeat it in Portugal.

Squad:
Goalkeepers - Alan Kelly (Blackburn), Shay Given (Newcastle), Dean Kiely (Charlton)
Defenders - Stephen Carr (Tottenham), Gary Kelly and Ian Harte (Leeds), Steve Staunton (Liverpool), Gary Breen (Coventry), Richie Dunne (Everton).
Midfielders - Roy Keane (Man Utd), Mark Kinsella (Charlton), Steve Finnan (Fulham), Jason McAteer (Blackburn), Lee Carsley (Blackburn), Rory Delap (Derby), Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland), Damien Duff (Blackburn), Matt Holland (Ipswich)
Strikers - Niall Quinn (Sunderland), David Connolly (Feyenoord), Robbie Keane (Inter Milan), Dominic Foley (Watford)