Paddy Kenny conceded five goals in last month's game in Cyprus

Shay Given's return to the squad was expected but the other goalkeeping places go to Brighton's Wayne Henderson and Barnsley's Nick Colgan.

Kenny has been troubled by a muscle injury recently but he did play for his club against Newcastle on Saturday.

Stephen Carr and Richard Dunne are among eight men to return to the squad.

When asked whether Kenny had been dropped, a Football Association of Ireland spokesman replied that Kenny had been "not selected".

606 DEBATE: What do you think of Staunton's selection?

The FAI official pointed out that Kenny had missed the game against the Czech Republic because of injury and added that manager Steve Staunton had spoken of the goalkeeper's recent "injury problems".

However, Kenny has established himself as Shay Given's understudy so Staunton's decision to leave out the Sheffield United man is a surprise.

Wayne Henderson started against the Czechs after Given and Kenny were ruled out.

I will have serious choices to make when it comes to selecting the team Republic manager Steve Staunton

Andy O'Brien, Aiden McGeady, Kevin Doyle, Stephen Ireland and Stephen Elliot return after injury but Newcastle's Alan O'Brien is left out.

The midfielder has instead been included in the Republic's B squad for next weekend's game against their Scottish counterparts.

Lee Carsley and Stephen Kelly retain their places in the squad after being late call-ups for the game against the Czechs.

Newcastle's Stephen Carr missed both last month's games because of injury while and Manchester City defender Dunne was suspended for the Czech game.

"It is good to have so many of the players who missed the game against the Czech Republic back but the young players who played so well that night have ensured that I will have serious choices to make when it comes to selecting the team," said Republic manager Steve Staunton.

The match against San Marino on 15 November will be Republic's final game at Lansdowne Road before redevelopment work begins at the stadium.

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Given (Newcastle Utd, Henderson (Brighton), Colgan (Barnsley)

Defenders: Carr (Newcastle), Finnan (Liverpool), McShane (West Brom), Dunne (Man City), Kelly (Birmingham), O'Brien (Portsmouth)

Midfielders: Douglas (Leeds), Carsley (Everton), McGeady (Celtic), Duff (Newcastle), Kilbane (Wigan), O'Shea (Man Utd), Quinn (Sheffield Utd), A Reid (Charlton), Ireland (Man City).

Strikers: Elliott (Sunderland), Keane (Tottenham), Doyle (Reading), Morrison (Crystal Palace), Lee (Ipswich)