Tonight sees the return to action of the Republic of Ireland with a friendly against Nigeria at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in London. The game serves as a warm-up before next Saturday’s crucial qualifier in Sofia against Bulgaria.

It goes without saying that next Saturday could determine Ireland’s fate in the group with a trip to Nicocia following in September before a climactic home double-header with Italy and Montenegro visiting Dublin.

But first things first, Nigeria, and, more noticably, Dean Kiely. The 38 year old West Brom goalkeeper left the squad last night after being informed he would play no part in the game. Kieran Westwood is set to play a half while Shay Given will start in goal behind what will be an inexperienced back four. Kiely has been around the Ireland set-up for quite some time although he returned last year following a lengthy absence from the squad due to a similar episode with Brian Kerr. In short, he knows how these things work. His eleven caps since 1999 have come while deputising for both Given and Alan Kelly Jr. It appears now that Westwood’s emergence has demoted him to third choice.

Kiely made four impressive appearences for West Brom towards the end of this season that contributed to a near escape from inevitable relegation. Westwood, on the other hand, has been a regular for Coventry City and has been voted into the team of the year by his fellow players in the Championship. His rise to heir apparent has been a quick one.

One can easily sympathise with Kiely, at 38 and with a family he hardly needs to be sitting in the stand when he could be at home but nonetheless it’s not as if this was any different of a situation to when he returned to the squad last year. If, as he has stated, part of his reasons for returning were to observe Giovanni Trapattoni’s methods in preparation for a career in coaching then spending time on the training ground is part of his reason for being there.

Then again, Shay Given could just have been rested.

Liam Lawrence and Leon Best make their senior debuts in midfield and attack respectively while the most interesting aspect of all this will be the back four with Richard Dunne being joined by four debutants in Foley, Nolan, and St Ledger.

Kick-Off: 8PM, Live on Setanta Sports.

Republic of Ireland: Given (Manchester City), Foley (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dunne (Manchester City), Nolan, St Ledger (Both Preston North End), Miller (Unattatched), Whelan, Lawrence (Both Stoke City), Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Best (Coventry), Duff (Newcastle United) OR McGeady (Glasgow Celtic).