Depleted Ireland face powerful Dutch

DUBLIN, Aug 15 (Reuters) Ireland begin preparations for European qualification this week in less than ideal conditions, with the injury-hit side squaring up to an almost full-strength Dutch team at a friendly in Dublin tomorrow.

Seven Irish players, including captain Robbie Keane and first-choice goalkeeper Shay Given, have been ruled out of the Netherlands game -- Ireland's first since a 1-0 home loss to Chile in a May friendly -- through injury.

Ireland, who did not qualify for this year's World Cup finals, are hoping to do better in the European Championship event though they are in a tough group. They face Germany in their first qualifying match next month and also have the Czech Republic as rivals.

''It's far from ideal to lose so many of the squad through injury,'' coach Steve Staunton said. ''As a result, we are without some of our leading players and with this being the final opportunity to test ourselves prior to the start of the European qualifying campaign, that's very disappointing.'' As well as Keane and Given, experienced defenders Richard Dunne and Ian Harte, Ipswich Town striker Alan Lee and Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland and young Tottenham Hotspur striker Terry Dixon, have all withdrawn through injury.

Given's absence opens the door for Paddy Kenny to add to his five previous appearances in goal and could give Brighton's Wayne Henderson a chance to build on his two substitute appearances for Ireland's last match before Germany on Sept 2.

The withdrawal of Dunne, who, along with Portsmouth's Andy O'Brien was one of only two regular centre-backs in the squad, is likely to hurt Ireland's defence.

Staunton, brought in earlier this year after a disappointing World Cup campaign, has had his own problems too having been threatened at gunpoint in Dublin on Monday night.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH Netherlands coach Marco van Basten reckons he has the best possible players to prepare for Euro 2008, with their qualification campaign starting on Sept. 2 in Luxembourg.

He has dropped striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and midfielder Mark van Bommel following the World Cup defeat against Portugal in Germany.

''We are now preparing for qualification for the European Championship in two years and we had to make choices,'' Van Basten said. ''In our opinion we picked the best squad and they will have our confidence for the coming period.

Van Basten's biggest worry will be in midfield, where the side lack the power of their major international European rivals.

''If you see the final four at the World Cup it is obvious that physical strength made the difference,'' Van Basten said. ''I have to work with the available players and there are just not types like Frank Rijkaard walking around these days.'' Central midfielder Wesley Sneijder pulled out of the squad yesterday as his wife is expected to give birth to their first child, with Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Theo Janssen taking his place in the 18-men squad.

Van Basten is expected to make five changes to the side that faced Portugal.

Alkmaar youngster Stijn Schaars, captain of the Dutch under-21 team who won the European Championship last year, is likely to fill in the position of the retired Phillip Cocu.

Wing backs, Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, are out of the squad as both are suspended for the first Euro 2008 qualifier.

Probable teams: Ireland: Paddy Kenny; Stephen Carr, Stephen Kelly, Andy O'Brien, Steve Finnan; John O'Shea, Steven Reid, Liam Miller, Kevin Doyle; Clinton Morrison, Damien Duff.

Netherlands: Edwin van der Sar; John Heitinga, Andre Ooijer, Joris Mathijsen, Tim de Cler; Denny Landzaat, Rafael van der Vaart, Stijn Schaars; Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt, Arjen Robben.

REUTERS PM KN1408