Central defender Alex Bruce will captain the Republic of Ireland B side when they take on Scotland in a friendly at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium on Tuesday. Bruce was an unused sub for the full Irish team as they drew 2-2 with Wales on Saturday.

The former Blackburn and Birmingham man will be winning his second cap at B level. Last week's hat-trick hero Jon Walters is also in the squad, having received his first international call since scoring twice in his one and only U21 appearance in October 2003 while a Bolton player.

Meanwhile, released former Town midfielder Martin Brittain has joined Scunthorpe United on non-contract terms. Brittain spent a short spell with Carlisle earlier in the season but failed to make an impact at Brunton Park.

Former Blue Darren Bent has been added to the England squad for Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia. Bent's summer move from Charlton to Spurs means that Town will not receive any cash if the 23-year-old plays his first competitive international.

Elsewhere, Town legend Paul Mariner's New England Revolution lost 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo in the final of the MLS Cup (end of season play-offs) on Sunday. Mariner, assistant coach to ex-Liverpool man Steve Nichol, has been with the Revs for four years. Houston won the title for the second year in succession, while New England's final defeat is their third in a row and fourth in six years.

Republic of Ireland B: Colin Doyle Birmingham City, Dan Connor Drogheda United, Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Graham Gartland (Drogheda United), Sean Dillon (Dundee United), Jim Goodwin (Scunthorpe), Alan Bennett (Reading, on loan to Southampton), Richie Byrne (Aberdeen), Michael Doyle (Coventry City), Glenn Whelan (Sheffield Wednesday), Wes Hoolahan (Blackpool), David Bell (Luton Town), Roy O'Donovan (Sunderland), Mark Yeates (Colchester), Noel Hunt (Dundee United), Jon Walters (Ipswich Town), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Photo: Action Images

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