Steven Reid: I'm surprised to see Keane ... I would have started Long

I must admit that I'm surprised to see Robbie Keane in Kazakhstan tonight when Damien Duff and Shay Given are at home.

My gut feeling after the Euros was that the four senior players would all stay, or else they would all go. It was either going to be a clean break, or one more big push. For me, it's ended up with a strange conclusion.

It's good news that Richard Dunne has been convinced to stick around along with Robbie, but his absence for this evening, combined with that of Shay and Duffer, means we enter uncharted territory without some really experienced figures.

And it will be difficult, make no mistake about that. These games can take you by surprise. With the effects of travelling and the unknown nature of the opposition, a lot can go wrong and, more often than not, it's the senior figures that pull you through it.

After what happened in Poland, Giovanni Trapattoni is under pressure. So he'll be needing a dig-out from the boys who, perhaps, feel their opportunity has been a long time coming.

Keiren Westwood impressed me in Serbia, and I've liked what I've seen of him at Sunderland, but it's a different ball game for him now. In the past, he's been keeping the gloves warm for Shay in his fleeting appearances.

Now, he's trying to step in and prove he is up to the task of replacing someone who has done a magnificent job for Ireland over a number of years. It's a new type of responsibility for him and it's pivotal that he responds. We are not blessed with a reserve of goalkeeping talent, and we don't want to spend this campaign pining for Shay to come back -- a scenario which I believe is unlikely.

Looking at our defensive options, it's easy to see why Trapattoni was so desperate to keep Dunney in the fold. By the looks of it, the manager is sticking with the same defence as the Euros, but I'd like to see Marc Wilson given a proper run-out in the friendly with Oman next Tuesday.

He's a regular at Stoke, and I've encountered him a few times. He's got a presence on the pitch, is a good size, and can offer a service anywhere across that back line. Certainly, he's worth a try.

The indications are that Trapattoni is going to be slow to change, which is a shame, as I genuinely believe there are some players we can be excited about. Fortunately, circumstances have paved the way for James McCarthy to start tonight.

He's a class player. That's always been the feedback from the boys who've been around him on the Irish squads. Last year, at West Brom, Simon Cox and Shane Long always came back singing his praises and this is a real opportunity for James now.

Technically, he looks superb, and I feel that's an area where he became noticeably more confident last season. But this can be the real breakthrough year for him with Ireland. I think he could form a good partnership with Glenn Whelan; I liked that role alongside Glenn. It is suited to someone who likes to get on the ball, and McCarthy definitely fits that category.

Further up the pitch, we have added reasons to be optimistic. It's the one area where we really have a depth of Premier League options. Besides Robbie, we've got his partner tonight, Jonny Walters, who is a regular at Stoke, and Kevin Doyle who really is a top-flight player even though he's stayed loyal to Wolves.

Serious

I might be a little biased, but I'd have started Shane Long. Close hand, I've watched his development at West Brom and, once he avoids the injuries that halted last season for him, I really think Longy can go on to become a serious player.

To be honest, it's a pain in the a*** when he's on the opposite side in training because he hardly ever stops running. And when he does, he's walking, always on the move and keeping defenders on their toes. He works his socks off, and it'd be nice to see him given a more prominent involvement. I know he was disappointed he didn't play a bit more in the Euros and, for me, he has to be accommodated. He gave Everton nightmares last weekend with his pace and ability to get in behind their back four. And, as Everton proved against Manchester United, they can be a tough nut to crack.

I'm sure we'll see him in action at some stage tonight. In a way, I can see where Trapattoni is coming from. Long can be a real impact player off the bench, and the Kazakhstan defenders won't be happy to see him coming on as their legs start to tire.

I just hope we don't get into a situation where we've left it too late.