Ralph Firman and Richard Lyons have been pushed into the frame alongside Irvine as replacements for Takuma Sato who left Jordan to link up with F1 rivals BAR.

Anglo-Irishman Firman, won the Formula Nippon series in Japan at the end of October and recently took part in a test session with BAR in Barcelona.

Lyons, like Irvine from Northern Ireland, also raced in the Formula Nippon and the Japanese GT series last season.

We want to give Giancarlo the best, and maybe a young driver pushing him would be good Jordan marketing head Mark Gallagher

The 23-year-old Hillsborough driver is rated as very quick, but is regarded as having less experience.

Lyons was recently at the Jordan factory and spent time with Gary Anderson, their technical director.

Jordan head Mark Gallagher was not giving away any secrets.

''While it's clear that Eddie Irvine is out there, there are a number of highly-talented young drivers about,'' said Gallagher, head of marketing at Jordan.

''We are looking at both Ralph Firman and Richard Lyons, and there is also Anthony Davidson to include in that list.''

The Jordan camp, however, appears to be divided in what type of driver they would like to partner Giancarlo Fisichella.

Sponsor Benson & Hedges are believed to favour younger drivers who have a real hunger.

Recently, Eddie Jordan himself said on Irish television that it would be prudent if Eddie Irvine ''took his wins and retired''.

But Jordan has said recently that he would prefer to install an experienced driver in the team's second seat, rather than a rookie.

Future plans

''Experience is going to be a massive asset because of next year's qualifying rules with only one lap to play with,'' said Gallagher.

''We are not ruling anything out. Anything is possible over the next while.

''Jordan needs to move forward. We have a three-year deal with Ford and we need to plan for the future.

''That is only going to come from a young aggressive driver in the third Jordan pushing the other two guys.

''Then again, we want to give Giancarlo the best, and maybe a young aggressive driver pushing him in the race would be good.''