Roy Keane's absence from Mick McCarthy's squad for tomorrow's game against Denmark at Lansdowne Road should allow the Republic of Ireland manager a better opportunity to weigh up his captain's potential midfield partners for the World Cup, with Mark Kinsella, Matt Holland and Colin Healy all set to get run-outs.

Kinsella returns to the squad despite a lack of first-team football at Charlton since recovering from injury. But with eight reserve games under his belt in recent weeks, the Dubliner feels he is ready for a full run-out tomorrow, something McCarthy seems ready and willing to provide the 29-year-old.

"I spoke to (Charlton manager) Alan Curbishley last week and he said that Mark was fit, but that the team have been playing well and he's reluctant to change things, which I can understand," said McCarthy yesterday.

"He said that all he needs now is first-team football and I'll be more than happy to provide him with a bit of that this week."

Kinsella, long unchallenged as Keane's partner at the heart of the Irish team, could be forgiven for being surprised by the way things have changed since his 18-month run of injury problems set in.

Holland has steadily established himself as a highly credible alternative to the Charlton player at this level, and was chosen ahead of him to play alongside Keane for the first leg of the World Cup play-off against Iran.

Then, against Russia at Lansdowne Road last month, Healy staked a major claim to what has traditionally been Lee Carsley's fourth central midfield slot in the squad.

A repeat of his first-half performance against the Russians and the softly spoken, somewhat shy newcomer from Ballincollig will be all but certain of making the trip to Japan.

Healy doesn't exactly gush about having emerged as a contender for a place in the 23-man squad. Still, he laughed when asked if he knew McCarthy was in the stands when he went on loan to Coventry City and made his debut at Crystal Palace.

"I knew alright," he said, "but only because when I looked up at the big screen in the ground there, he was all over it."

His performance that day earned him his place against the Russians and his subsequent display put Carsley's place under severe threat.

"Colin did very well. We've got Mark back and Mattie Holland only took part last time for about 10 minutes, so he's got a claim as well. There are reasons for them all to be involved but yeah, Colin was excellent," said McCarthy yesterday.

Kinsella paid tribute to Healy yesterday when the two of them arrived together to talk to the media, but after what he describes as "a difficult season", it is clear he is seeking to recover his position in the pecking order.

"I've only started nine games and been on as a sub in another five this season, but then it's been a bad 18 months for me injury-wise," he said.

"All I can do is try to look on the bright side. It's all behind me now and I've recharged my batteries. I want to play some first team games now, though. I've talked to Alan about it at the club and it's not a problem.

"I'll try to do the same with Mick over the next couple of days and try to get an idea of how he sees the situation."

Meanwhile, with Gary Breen showing up fit yesterday, McCarthy now has a squad of 20 available for tomorrow's game.

The arrival of the central defender, who was left out of Coventry's game against Birmingham on Sunday despite apparently recovering from a hamstring problem, appears to have killed off John O'Shea's chances of promotion to the senior squad.

Breen will now be in contention for a start at the back with Kenny Cunningham, Richard Dunne and Steve Staunton.

On the left side of midfield, where both Mark Kennedy and Kevin Kilbane have been lost to injury, the choice is between Steven Reid and Damien Duff.

McCarthy outlined his dilemma in relation to the position yesterday when he conceded that while Reid has done well for Millwall, he would prefer to play a naturally left-sided player like Duff.

"Duffer's done well up front for us, though," he said, "so it's something I'll have to think about."

While he is keen to see as many of his squad in action tomorrow evening, McCarthy said there would be no repeat of last month's wholesale changes, when seven substitutions were made at half-time and just about everybody who was fit made an appearance.

"I won't be making as many changes this time," he said, before adding with a chuckle that it wasn't an option anyway. "I only have 20 players, so I can't do, can I?"

The FAI, meanwhile, dismissed weekend reports of tension among the players because no arrangements have been made by the association to bring their wives and families to the games.

In all of the talks that had taken place between the organisation and representatives of the squad, the subject has not once been raised, general secretary Brendan Menton said.

The Ireland manager was fairly scathing when asked about the reports, observing: "The first thing I did after we qualified was to book four trips to the World Cup - one for my wife and three for my kids - because I knew that I'd be going as a manager. I don't think it's even an issue," he added.

Charlton's Mark Kinsella

is hoping to reclaim his midfield berth for the Republic of Ireland after an injury-troubled 18 months. He faces competition from Matt Holland and impressive newcomer Colin Healy. - (Photograph: AP).