Forest to play Ireland in Dublin

Forest will use the match to fill the gap over the international weekend

Nottingham Forest will line up against a Republic of Ireland XI next month as part of the country's preparation for their World Cup qualifiers.

Forest travel to Dublin on Thursday 9 October for the one-off fixture, which falls in the next international break.

"It's a prestigious game for us and reflects well on Nottingham Forest," said Reds manager Colin Calderwood.

"It works out really well for us because it will give us a game right in the middle of the break."

The game has been arranged to give Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni a chance to try different combinations of players prior to their first home qualifier against Cyprus the following week.

"This game will give me an important opportunity to work closely with many of our talented players," said Trapattoni.

"We have another eight games ahead of us in our challenge for World Cup qualification and I have no doubt that some of this squad will be called upon to play their part.

"The game against Forest will form part of an important build-up to our first home World Cup qualifier match against Cyprus the following week."