A spate of withdrawals and the emergence of some new fringe players has given Trapattoni something of a headache with regard to future squad selection. This guide will attempt to make some sense of the likely first-team regulars, along with those in the squad and on the fringes.
First-team starters:
1. Richard Dunne
Though Ireland won without him in Skopje, his presence was certainly missed. There is a big drop-off in quality behind Dunne in the centre-back position, and Ireland were extremely lucky to keep a clean sheet against Pandev and Trikovski in a troubling first half. Bigger tests await, and if Ireland are to be competitive in September, Dunne needs to be fit.
2. Shay Given
Given proved his worth yet again with a point-blank save from Pandev in Skopje with the score at 1-0. The emergence of Westwood and Forde gives Ieland more depth in the position, but Given still can't be dropped.
3. Robbie Keane
Like Given, he's had a relatively inactive season, and viable alternatives have emerged in the event of an injury. However, five goals in three games have seen Keane make a big statement about what he offers, and regardless of his club situation, he will not be dropped this September.
4. Kevin Doyle
Competition for places has intensified up front with the emergence of Cox and the improvement of Long; however, Doyle rightly remains first-choice. Rumours about a switch to Arsenal may be speculative, but he deserves better than relegation battles every year.
5. John O'Shea
Versatility alone will guarantee a place in the starting line-up, either at full-back or centre-back, depending on who is available. Spent a lot of time injured last season, but a good pre-season should keep him sharp for the big September games.
6. Damien Duff
Despite a few niggling injuries, Duff has had his best season since the Chelsea days. He remains Ireland's most accomplished wide player when fit, and his close control, dribbling and footballing brain still gives Ireland a dimension that the more direct Coleman, Hunt and Lawrence can't yet provide.
7. Aiden McGeady
Seems to have stepped up a level since moving to Spartak; seems much more determined to get on the ball and provide an outlet since the start of this campaign. Duff and McGeady remain Ireland's foremost threats in the wide positions.
8. Glenn Whelan
A mainstay in Trapattoni's midfield and will not be dropped. Misplaced several simple passes in Skopje, but rarely gave away any space to the Macedonian playmakers, and is important in the general defensive shape of the team. Will need to raise his game in the autumn.
9. Sean St. Ledger
Ahead of Stephen Kelly in the picture, and will take his place at centre-back alongside Dunne, with O'Shea at right-back. Was very assured against Italy, and was missed in the Macedonia double-header.
10. Keith Andrews
Has leapfrogged Darron Gibson and Keith Fahey over the last four games to win back his place. A seemingly inevitable move to the Championship won't cost Andrews his place, even if Gibson, James McCarthy and David Meyler start the season as regulars in the top division. Trapattoni likes him, and he's done little wrong since coming back from injury. Like Whelan, he cannot afford to be out of form this autumn.
11. Kevin Kilbane
Though Kilbane has not made any glaring mistakes in an Irish shirt since gifting Bulgaria an equaliser in Sofia two years ago, his selection continues to evoke exasperation among many fans. Trapattoni seems to currently view him as less of a risk than any of the younger players he has tried out, and it's not an unreasonable viewpoint - Clark was less-than-impressive against Uruguay, and Cunningham is a 20-year-old with only half a season in the Championship behind him. Though Stephen Ward has looked solid in recent friendlies, Kilbane remains the man in possession.
In the squad
12. Stephen Ward
Ward has given himself a fighting chance of usurping Kilbane, with solid performances in clean-sheet friendly games against Northern Ireland, Scotland and Italy. He's certainly the frontrunner to challenge Kilbane for the troublesome left-back position, and may get another chance against Croatia. However, one would feel that Trapattoni is reluctant to change the side at this vital stage, and the vast experience of Kilbane may win out.
13. Stephen Kelly
Did well enough in Macedonia, and is currently ahead of Foley and McShane for the reserve right-back slot behind O'Shea. Has been used at centre-back, but clearly lacks the height and physicality for the role. An injury to any one of O'Shea, Dunne or St. Ledger will put Kelly into the side.
14. Stephen Hunt
Still behind Duff and McGeady on technical ability alone, but good performances on the right have put him firmly back into position as the next in line. Superb in Skopje, and given Duff's injury record, he may well start against Slovakia.
15. Shane Long
When fully-fit, must be first-choice backup to Doyle and Keane. Ireland's most improved player over the last twelve months.
16. Darron Gibson
Because of his 'soft' withdrawal from the summer squad, he finds himself behind Andrews again. Needs to sort his club situation out quickly; it would be interesting to see how he fares as a regular starter in the EPL. Beyond the first-choice pair, Ireland were down to the bare bones in central midfield over May and June, and Gibson will surely come back into the squad.
17. Seamus Coleman
Is behind several players for a spot on the wing, but has now climbed ahead of Lawrence and possibly Fahey for right-midfield, given his comfortable performance against Italy and his outstanding season for Everton. Moyes is talking about blooding Coleman as a right-back, and such versatility may appeal to Trapattoni.
18. Kevin Foley
Started the Macedonia home game at right-back, but a shaky defensive display saw him lose his place for the return, and recent games have been in central midfield, where he's done little wrong. Versatility will certainly keep him in the squad.
19. Keith Fahey
Hasn't played much recently, but can play anywhere across midfield and has already made a valuable contribution in the qualifying campaign.
20. Keiren Westwood
Stock has risen remarkably with his move to Sunderland. Excellent understudy for Given, and surely his eventual heir.
21. Darren O'Dea
Started the last two competitive games, but his club situation is not ideal. Unwanted at Celtic, and most of his football has been played out of position on loan at Ipswich. Despite some crunching tackles, he looked slow and ponderous at times in the games against Macedonia, and despite being solid for the U-21s in his time, it's hard to know how good he actually can be. Most suspect that Ciaran Clark is a better prospect, but O'Dea may find himself ahead in the short-term as fourth-choice centre-back.
22. Simon Cox
Proved a surprisingly effective partner for Keane against Northern Ireland and Macedonia, and scored as a sub against Italy. Seems like a good option, and Irish fans will be taking much more notice of him for West Brom next season. May well have stepped ahead of Keogh, Walters and Best in the strikers' queue
23. David Forde
Now firmly established as Ireland's third-choice goalkeeper after a solid display against Italy.
24. Paul McShane
The maligned right-back is behind O'Shea and Kelly, and when everyone was fit in March, he found himself out of the squad. With Coleman and Foley also able to play right-back, there logically shouldn't be a place for him, but Trapattoni likes his aggression and 'mentality', so he may find his way into a 25-man squad.
25. Ciaran Clark
Unlucky to lose out to both O'Dea and Ward for starting spots recently. Outstanding prospect who shouldn't be written off for a shaky game against Uruguay. The September games may come too soon for him to make a starting case, but definitely one for the future. Interesting to see how he fares under McLeish at Villa.
On the fringes
26. Liam Lawrence
Strange situation for Lawrence, as he's gradually dropped down the pecking order since the Russia game. The outstanding form of Coleman and McGeady, coupled with returns for Duff and Hunt, have seen to that. Being out of sight and mind at Portsmouth doesn't do him any favours.
27. James McCarthy
Ireland's brightest prospect in years, but has been in the news for the wrong reasons in the past year, with unwarranted speculation accompanying a succession of withdrawals from Ireland squads. He has reaffirmed his commitment recently, and should find himself named in an extended squad for the Croatia game, if Trapattoni wants him. However, despite playing as an orthodox midfielder for Wigan, Trapattoni appears to see his role further up the pitch. McCarthy may not get a chance in the remainder of this campaign, which is a shame, given Ireland's lack of real ability in central midfield.
28. Damien Delaney
Similar player to Clark and O'Dea, and didn't do a lot wrong when called upon in the Nation's Cup. Could even sneak in ahead of Clark if the Villa man isn't playing first-team football in August.
29. Marc Wilson
Trapattoni was disappointed in his summer no-show, and he may bear the manager's wrath. However, unlike Best, Stokes and Walters, Wilson offers options in a number of positions, and may find it easier to get back in.
30. Keith Treacy
Left-winger who would find himself a long way down the pecking order when everyone is fit. Looks a tidy player with considerable confidence and a few tricks. Needs to find a club after Preston's relegation.
31. Andy Keogh
Hasn't played much football over the last two years, and it is difficult to see what he offers besides work-rate. However, his good behaviour in showing up to the camp in May will stand to him in Trap's eyes.
32. Jon Walters
Was a stand-out performer at the back-end of Stoke's season, and impressed against Wales - but withdrawing from the Irish squad may come back to haunt him. Much more effective than Keogh, but Trapattoni might feel he can make a principled point about 'dedication' by excluding Walters for Keogh, seeing as neither player is likely to get on the field in a competitive game.
33. Greg Cunningham
Will be back from injury at the start of the season, but needs a loan move again. Trapattoni seemed to have faith in him, but with Clark and Ward getting their chances, Cunningham may need to be patient. A pity, as he looks like an excellent prospect.
34. David Meyler
Some reports have him back for pre-season, other reports have him out 'tentatively' until much later. Either way, if he recovers fully from his knee injuries and regains the form he's capable of for Sunderland, then Trap will have a hard job leaving him out of a squad. He ticks all the boxes for a Trap midfielder; big, strong, athletic, not afraid of a tackle, and seems like a dedicated pro. He can pass the ball too, which is always a bonus. If injuries can be overcome, he looks like having a solid international career. It's a big 'if', though, and this autumn will almost certainly come too soon for him.
35. Leon Best
Had a purple patch for Newcastle at the turn of the year, but may find himself a long way down the pecking order after withdrawing from the squad in May. He appears to be quite injury-prone, which could make it difficult for him to get back into the reckoning.
Wild Card: Wes Hoolahan
Hoolahan got on the Championship team of the year with some excellent performances at the head of Norwich's 'diamond' formation last year. His style of play is quite maverick, but he has played in the wide positions before, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the EPL. Trapattoni has included him in squads before, and gave him an international début in 2008, so he's not an unknown quantity. Hard to see him adding to his caps, but may feel aggrieved to see Keith Treacy and Andy Keogh ahead of him.
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