New Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr's first squad for the friendly against Scotland on 12 February contains no surprises with Roy Keane as expected left out.

Kerr has made it clear that he wants Keane to return to the Irish squad but there was never any likelihood of the Manchester United star making himself available for the Hampden Park match.

The Irish boss will hope that Keane will return for the crucial back-to-back games away to Georgia (29 March) and Albania (2 April).

Another school of thought suggests that Keane will finalise his retirement from the international scene to devote all his energies to Manchester United.

The Irish manager has stood by the players named by Mick McCarthy for the autumn European Championship qualifiers against Russia and Switzerland.

Included are a number of players named by stand-in manager Don Givens for the last international against Greece in Athens in November.

Roy Keane: International future unclear

David Connolly is included after pulling out of the Athens game in controversial circumstances.

Givens claimed that Connolly had turned down a late offer to link up with the panel after being annoyed at being left out of the original squad.

However, Connolly insisted that he was unavailable because of injury.

Milliwall's Steven Reid, whose last game was against Germany in last summer's World Cup finals, returns to the squad after injury.

Robbie Keane is in the panel even though he limped out of Tottenham Hotspur's Premiership defeat by Newcastle United.

Damien Duff and Rory Delap are also named in the panel even though they are currently troubled by injury.

Hughton confirmed

"It's a clean slate as far as I am concerned, an opportunity for me to see all the squad and them to see me," said Kerr.

"I will treat the players with respect and I know they must give me that back in return".

Tottenham first-team coach Chris Hughton has been confirmed as Kerr's assistant, along with his former youth team assistant Noel O'Riley.

Ireland lost their opening Euro 2004 qualifiers against Russia and Switzerland.

Ireland squad: Given (Newcastle United), Kiely (Charlton Athletic), Colgan (Hibernian), Harte (Leeds United), Breen (West Ham United), Kelly (Leeds United), Cunningham (Birmingham City), O'Shea (Manchester United), Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Dunne (Manchester City), Finnan (Fulham), O'Brien (Newcastle United), Holland (Ipswich Town), Healy (Celtic), Kinsella (Aston Villa), Carsley (Everton), Delap (Southampton), McPhail (Leeds United), Kennedy (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Kilbane (Sunderland), Keane (Tottenham Hotspur (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrison (Birmingham City), Duff (Blackburn Rovers), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Connolly (Wimbledon), Reid (Millwall).