Trapattoni opts for six changes

WORLD CUP GROUP EIGHT QUALIFIER: Republic of Ireland v Montenegro
Venue: Croke Park Date: Wednesday, 14 October Kick off: 1900 BST
Coverage: Score updates on BBC Radio 5 live and text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Live on Sky Sports 2.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has made six changes from Saturday's draw with Italy for Wednesday's clash with Montenegro.

With a World Cup play-off place already secured, Paul McShane replaces John O'Shea in defence while Noel Hunt takes over from Kevin Doyle in attack.

Midfield is totally changed with Stephen Hunt, Martin Rowlands, Liam Miller and Damien Duff all starting.

Shay Given and Kevin Kilbane will earn their 100th caps in Wednesday's game.

Given will also captain the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup qualifier at Croke Park.

Republic boss Giovanni Trapattoni considered whether to rest Given as the Manchester City keeper has picked up a yellow card in the campaign.

Another booking would rule Given out of next month's play-off first leg.

However, Trapattoni said on Tuesday that Given would be honoured with the captaincy in Wednesday's game.

606: DEBATE

" If I were Irish I wouldn't mind having France. They don't have the passion at the moment with Domenech "

Robbie Keane is the Republic's regular skipper.

But while Given will play, Trapattoni decided that other regulars Aiden McGeady and Keith Andrews would not feature on Wednesday because they are on yellow cards.

With Glenn Whelan also suspended, Hibernian's Miller and QPR's Rowlands start in central midfield with Stephen Hunt and fit-again Duff occupying the wide roles.

The Republic boss said that he had taken the decision to play Given because of the "lesser risk" of the goalkeeper picking up another caution.

Given had also made clear to Trapattoni his desire to play on Wednesday.

Rep of Ireland: Given, St. Ledger, McShane, Dunne, Kilbane, Stephen Hunt, Rowlands, Miller, Duff, Noel Hunt, Keane. Subs: Westwood, Keogh, Lawrence, Kelly, O'Shea, Doyle, Best.

Montenegro: Poleksic, Basa, Batak, Jovanovic, Zverotic, Simon Vukcevic, Boskovic, Novakovic, Drincic, Pekovic, Delibasic. Subs: Mladen Bozovic, Dzudovic, Kascelan, Delic, Gluscevic, Damjanovic, Nikola Vukcevic.

Referee: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia)

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