ALEX Bruce is looking to take advantage of Andy O'Brien's decision to quit international football.The Ipswich Town defender has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad to face Brazil at Croke Park tomorrow after the Bolton defender failed to turn up for training.

Derek Davis

ALEX Bruce is looking to take advantage of Andy O'Brien's decision to quit international football.

The Ipswich Town defender has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad to face Brazil at Croke Park tomorrow after the Bolton defender failed to turn up for training.

While caretaker manager Don Givens is hoping O'Brien will reconsider his decision to quit international football he had no hesitation in calling on Bruce.

Givens, chairman of the selection process to find a successor to Steve Staunton as manager, has yet to be notified of O'Brien's decision personally.

"I haven't been able to make any contact with Andy O'Brien, so I've called in Alex Bruce," confirmed Givens.

The Football Association of Ireland hope to rubber-stamp a new manager in the aftermath of the Brazil fixture with Italian veteran Giovanni Trapattoni favourite for the post.

Givens met with the FAI board last night indicated the panel's work will be completed within 10 days and that an appointment is imminent.

Trapattoni, currently in charge of Austrian club Salzburg, has also coached Italy, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Ipswich trio Owen Garvan, Shane Supple and Billy Clarke are all hoping to be involved in the Republic's Under 21s European Championship qualifier against England at Southampton tonight.

Supple and Clarke have gone on loan to Falkirk and hope to make their SPL debuts this weekend against Neil Alexander's Rangers.