The Republic of Ireland play their final warm-up friendly before Euro 2012 against Hungary in Budapest on Monday.
Trap names team in advance as Republic prepare for Croatia
The Republic of Ireland play their final warm-up friendly before Euro 2012 against Hungary in Budapest on Monday.
Giovanni Trapattoni is treating the contest as an audition for the real thing, having already confirmed his starting line-up and admitting this will be his Euro team, barring injuries.
The Republic kick-off their campaign against Croatia on Sunday in Poznan and will be hoping the likes of Shay Given and John O'Shea can get through this game after injury-hit preparations.
It certainly will not be easy for Trapattoni's men as they face a Hungary side that are enjoying a dramatic upturn in fortunes under coach Sandor Egervari.
The once-magnificent Magyars last qualified for a major tournament in 1986 but have won six and lost just one of their last nine games, culminating in Friday's win in the Czech Republic.
As a result, this could prove a real test for Ireland but it is the sort of challenge they have been rising to under their Italian coach.
The Republic are unbeaten in 13 games and have been particularly impressive on their travels, where they are unbeaten in 15 matches and have kept clean sheets on their last five trips.
Whether or not that run continues on Monday evening, you suspect Trapattoni would settle for a clean bill of health come the final whistle.
Team news
Hungary are missing defender Zoltan Liptak, who had a loan spell at Southampton, and QPR midfielder Akos Buzsaky due to knocks.
Egervari may opt to go with the side that beat the Czechs last week, although Adam Gyurcso will be pushing hard for a first start after coming off the bench to score the winner on debut in Prague.
Ireland have already named their starting XI and, injuries permitting, it is the line-up that will also start the first group game against Croatia on Sunday.
There are slight doubts over O'Shea and Given so they will need to prove their fitness, with the former unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.
Possible starting XIs
Hungary: Bogdan, Meszaros, Vanczak, Laczko, Pinter, Korcsmar, Dzsudzsak, Szakaly, Varga, Gyurcso, Szalai.
Republic of Ireland: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Keane, Doyle.
