Republic of Ireland: World Cup player by player

The Republic of Ireland's fractious build-up to the finals is now over as they play Cameroon but they are a man down as they enter the fray.

GOALKEEPERS

SHAY GIVEN

Small goalkeeper who makes up for lack of height with excellent reflexes and positional sense. Calm figure who guides the defence well, Given has had two exceptional seasons for Newcastle and his form helped them reach the Champions League.

DEAN KIELY

Given's great form and natural ability means Kiely, who was first choice for coach McCarthy last year, did not feature in any World Cup qualifiers but the Charlton man has a good all-round game as a 'keeper with no weaknesses.

ALAN KELLY

Patchy form saw McCarthy install Given as his first choice but he was once rated as a future star at Blackburn where he remains second choice and does no better at international level.

DEFENDERS

STEVE STAUNTON

The most-capped player for Ireland ever and key free-kick specialist for the team. He also takes corners and can be used as a centre back or left back. Staunton is in his second spell at Aston Villa and his whipped free kicks are the main attacking weapon for the Irish side. His tackling is also good.

STEVE FINAN

A mobile and right-sided player who has attracted interest from Manchester United after good form in the last two years for Fulham. Attacks well down the right hand side though he was less impressive in the second half of this season for his club side. Can be used as a right back or in midfield.

KENNY CUNNINGHAM

Veteran who recovered from a serious groin injury to reclaim his place at centre back in the Irish side. Good in the air and naturally clears the ball a long way but may not be able to cope with the best running at him.

GARY BREEN

Breen fits in well with McCarthy's system and always performs well for the Irish although he has often looked out of sorts for his club side Coventry. Mobile and quick to clear, Breen can head the ball well but his game lacks total quality although he is a trier.

IAN HARTE

Another free-kick specialist. Harte will take free kicks from the right side and in central positions and he has a great shot which can either use power to get to goal or an artful curl. He is a hard-running tackler at right back who is a target for Inter and also takes penalties.

GARY KELLY

No longer a first choice at Leeds after ten years at the club, Kelly retains some hope of playing for McCarthy's side due to his tackling ability and speed in attack but the more showy technique of Finan is likely to see Kelly used only sparingly.

RICHARD DUNNE

Lumbering centre back who may be the fattest player at the finals. McCarthy has several centre backs to choose from and the hefty Dunne can offer tough tackling but lacks mobility. He can threaten at set pieces but when he is off-form he looks like a goalkeeper who is being used as an emergency outfield player.

ANDY O'BRIEN

Excellent season for Newcastle has seen O'Brien become a key player for the Premiership side and now Ireland. Great at scoring headers from free kicks, Staunton and Harte may well look for the big-nosed centre back ahead of any of the strikers at set-pieces. Fast and a good user of the ball from defence, O'Brien has made great progress over the past six months.

JASON McATEER

Wide midfielder who is very good at covering for defenders. Good stamina which may see him feature regularly in the punishing Asian conditions, McAteer is a hard runner and tackler for the Irish side although is club form has been patchy for several seasons. He has a good shot and moves late and well into the penalty area to threaten goals.

MARK KINSELLA

Scurrying midfield presence who works well around the scraps left over from Keane's command of central midfield. However, the pair rarely play together and Kinsella is used as an emergency alternative if Keane is unavailable. His presence in any side named in June would indicate that Keane is injured.

MATT HOLLAND

He has lost the driving force that helped to power Ipswich Town to a good season last year and may still be depressed by the club's relegation this time round. He reads the game well alongside Keane but is more of a runner than a passer.

KEVIN KILBANE

Inconsistent wide player who is a regular for McCarthy. He started all 12 World Cup qualifiers but has neither the speed or delivery to make an impression. Mainly included for his willingness to run hard and long and to tackle back to help defenders.

STEVEN REID

He was called up while waiting to check in at London airport for a holiday in Barbados when Mark Kennedy was injured earlier this month. A good season for Millwall but the step up in class is a major effort although he did score on his debut in a friendly against Nigeria.

LEE CARSLEY

Combative midfielder whose tough-tackling and rugged approach to ball-winning may see him get into disciplinary problems. Keane's domination of the Irish midfield often makes Carsley look very peripheral and his negative play contracts a lot with the marauding Keane.

STRIKERS

ROBBIE KEANE

Almost a star at Inter but was sent back to England and patchy form with Leeds. In theory he is one of the best finishers in the Premiership but lacks consistency, application and concentration but his speed is good and he improvises very well. These finals would tell us all we need to know about Keane's credentials.

NIALL QUINN

Tall striker who features in both of Ireland's main attacking ploys. Plan A sees Quinn try to reach free kicks and corners. Plan B sees Quinn try to reach passes made upfield but an injury-ravaged body and back pain means he is not a major goal-scoring force and his presence means the younger strikers have to adapt their game a lot.

CLINTON MORRISON

Big-mouth striker whose fondness for ill-conceived interviews tend to mask what he claims is a great talent. Scouted two years ago by Premiership clubs and then studiously ignored ever since, Morrison remains mired at Crystal Palace. His substitute's role for McCarthy cuts down any chance he has to put himself in the shop window at the finals.

DAMIEN DUFF

Tricky winger who can be used as a wide player or in a deep midfield position where his runs are much harder to mark against. He has been in great form for Blackburn this season and is a genuine talent who could be a major star at the finals if he can find his best form which is very exciting.

DAVID CONNELLY

Not a certain finisher but a very hard worker who spent four years in the Dutch leagues as a reasonable forward who is a good volleyer.