Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will run the rule over some of his promising youngsters in the run-up to next month's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

The Italian today named a squad of 22 for a challenge match against Nottingham Forest at Dalymount Park on Thursday, October 9, six days before the Cypriots head for Croke Park.

Alex Bruce, Andy Keogh and Shane Long, who were part of the senior squad for the qualifiers against Georgia and Montenegro earlier this month, are included, as are Joe Murphy, Kieren Westwood, Kevin Foley, Darren O'Dea, Darren Potter, Wes Hoolahan, Martin Rowlands, Owen Garvan and Sean Scannell, who were on the post-season trip to Portugal in May.

There are also places for Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes, whose late double on Tuesday night helped his side avoid a Carling Cup shock at the hands of League One Northampton, Stoke's Liam Lawrence and Blackburn trio Eddie Nolan, Keith Treacy and Keith Andrews.

``This game will give me an important opportunity to work closely with many of our talented players,'' Trapattoni told www.fai.ie.

``We have another eight games ahead of us in our challenge for World Cup qualification, and I have no doubt that some of this squad will be called upon to play their part.

``I want to thank our scouting team and our Under-21 manager Don Givens for identifying many new players who are performing well this year.

``I have already worked with some of this squad during our time in Portugal and I look forward to working with those I have not already seen.

``The October 9 game will form part of an important build-up to our first home World Cup qualifier match against Cyprus the following week.''

Squad: Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe), Keiren Westwood (Coventry), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Alex Bruce (Ipswich), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Paddy McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Darren Potter (Wolves), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), Martin Rowlands (QPR), Owen Garvan (Ipswich), Shane Long (Reading), Caleb Folan (Hull), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace), Noel Hunt (Reading),

Liam Lawrence (Stoke), Keith Treacy (Blackburn), Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland).