Giovanni Trapattoni will have a chance to run the rule of his second tier of players when the Republic of Ireland B team take on Nottingham Forest at Dalymount Park tonight. Ipswich defender Alex Bruce skippers the side for the second time having previously done so during the Staunton regime.

Meanwhile Hamilton Accies midfielder James McCarthy has ended all speculation over his future by commiting himself to the Boys in Green. The Glasgow born player is also eligible for Scotland but should make his Ireland senior team debut in next month's friendly against Poland.