Town defender Alex Bruce says he hopes to ask his father Steve, a former Manchester United skipper, for advice before he captains the Republic of Ireland in their challenge match with Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening.

Bruce said: "He is in Dubai in holidays, so I haven't been able to speak to him yet! But when I do, I am sure that he will give me advice.

"It is massive honour to captain your country, at whatever level. I captained the B team when Steve Staunton was in charge, so this will be the second time for me at international level. It will be a good experience for me, and something I am going to enjoy.

"We all want to use this game as an opportunity to impress the manager, and hopefully a few will impress the eye, and will be given the [first team] opportunity that I have had.

"Performance will be the main thing. Individuals will need to step up to the plate, and hopefully we will do that.”

Town midfielder Owen Garvan is on the bench for the Forest game but is likely to be involved in the second half.

Republic of Ireland XI v Nottingham Forest: Joe Murphy - Scunthorpe United, Kevin Foley - Wolves, Alex Bruce - Ipswich (captain), Darren O'Dea - Celtic, Stephen Ward - Wolves, Andy Keogh - Wolves, Keith Andrews - Blackburn Rovers, Darren Potter - Wolves, Wes Hoolahan • Norwich City Shane Long - Reading, Caleb Folan - Hull City. Substitutes: Anthony Stokes - Sunderland, Kieran Westwood - Coventry City, Eddie Nolan - Blackburn Rovers, Darron Gibson - Manchester Utd, Martin Rowlands - QPR, Owen Garvan - Ipswich Town, Sean Scannell - Crystal Palace, Keith Treacy - Blackburn Rovers.

Photo: Action Images

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