Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni named a relatively inexperienced starting line-up for Friday night’s international friendly with Nigeria at Craven Cottage, London. The main headline of course was Dean Kiely’s walk out after news that Shay Given will start and Keiren Westwood will replace him at some stage.

In front of Given, the back four will see three new faces as Kevin Foley, Sean St. Ledger and Eddie Nolan get their first senior international caps. Liam Lawrence gets his first cap in midfield while Leon Best will also make his debut as he takes his place alongside captain Robbie Keane in attack.

Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady will play a half of the game although it hasn’t yet been confirmed who will start.

Republic of Ireland – starting line-up v Nigeria

  • Shay Given
  • Kevin Foley
  • Richard Dunne
  • Sean St. Ledger
  • Eddie Nolan
  • Damien Duff or Aiden McGeady
  • Liam Miller
  • Keith Andrews
  • Liam Lawrence
  • Leon Best
  • Robbie Keane

The game is being screened on Setanta Sports 1 and will also be available on RTE Radio 1 Long Wave and as a result will be one of the “forgotten” Irish internationals.

To illustrate the point, it will be the third time Ireland have faced Nigeria in a May friendly in seven years. Ireland lost 2-1 at Lansdowne Road in 2002, and were heavily beaten 3-0 by Nigeria in London in 2004.