Fulham full back Steve Finnan has named in the Republic of Ireland starting eleven for tonight’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

The former Notts County defender, who made the crucial winner over the Dutch at Landsdowne Road for Jason McAteer last month, is set to win his ninth senior international cap after a stellar start to life in the Premiership with Jean Tigana’s side. The Irish are already assured of a play-off place in the race to reach next summer’s finals in Japan and South Korea, but would need to score nine times to pip Portugal to an automatic qualification spot should the Portuguese beat Estonia in Lisbon this evening.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SIDE v CYPRUS (4-4-2): Given (Newcastle United); Finnan (Fulham), Harte (Leeds United), Breen (Coventry City), Staunton (Aston Villa); Roy Keane (Manchester United), Holland (Ipswich), Kennedy (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Kilbane (Sunderland); Quinn (Sunderland), Connolly (Wimbledon).