Nottingham Forest are to play a Republic of Ireland XI at Dalymount Park, Dublin, on Thursday, October 9.

The game has been arranged for the international break and Forest manager Colin Calderwood is delighted that the club were asked to take part by the Football Association of Ireland.

He said today: "It's a prestigious game for us and reflects well on Nottingham Forest that we were invited to provide the opposition for the Republic of Ireland side.

"It works out really well for us because it will give us a game right in the middle of the break."

The match is designed to give Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni and his coaches an opportunity to work with many of the players who are in the reckoning for international selection.

Trapattoni said: "This game will give me an important opportunity to work closely with many of our talented players. We have another eight games ahead of us in our challenge for World Cup qualification and I have no doubt that some of this squad will be called upon to play their part.

"I want to thank our scouting team and our Under 21 manager Don Givens for identifying many new players who are performing well this year. I have already worked with some of this squad during our time in Portugal and I look forward to working with those I have not already seen.

"The game against Forest will form part of an important build up to our first home World Cup qualifier match against Cyprus the following week."

The Irish squad is:

Joe Murphy Scunthorpe United

Keiren Westwood Coventry City

Kevin Foley Wolves

Alex Bruce Ipswich

Darren O'Dea Celtic

Stephen Ward Wolves

Paddy McCarthy Crystal Palace

Eddie Nolan Blackburn Rovers

Andy Keogh Wolves

Darron Gibson Manchester Utd

Darren Potter Wolves

Wes Hoolahan Norwich

Martin Rowlands QPR

Owen Garvan Ipswich

Shane Long Reading

Caleb Folan Hull City

Sean Scannell Crystal Palace

Noel Hunt Reading

Liam Lawrence Stoke City

Keith Treacy Blackburn Rovers

Keith Andrews Blackburn Rovers

Anthony Stokes Sunderland

The match will kick off at 7.30pm on October 9 and tickets will go on sale from Monday September 29 in Dalymount Park (Adults €10, children €5 - open 10am to 6pm, Mon - Fri) or online through www.ticketmaster.ie