Matt Holland says that he is expecting to start Ireland's World Cup game against Cameroon on June 1st. The Town skipper had been expected to play alongside Roy Keane after Mick McCarthy said his side from the friendly against Nigeria was likely to be his first choice XI.
Holland is back in training after an ankle injury, although he has a touch of the flu, but says he is on the mend.
Town's captain says he isn't counting his chickens but says it appears he'll get the nod ahead of Mark Kinsella: "It looks as though I am the first choice but you can never take anything for granted. I'm keeping my fingers crosed that I will be starting next week."
Holland's family join him next Tuesday, but before then the Irish face a friendly with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Tokyo on Saturday.
So far the summer has seen a number of clubs linked with a move for Holland. Yesterday reports in the West Midlands said that Aston Villa had made an enquiry regarding the Blues' captain, however George Burley has denied this: "I have had no enquiries about any of our players."