Heimir Hallgrimsson intends to go with an experienced starting side when the Republic of Ireland line out against Qatar at Aviva Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

The friendly is the first of two in this current window, with a trip to Montreal to face another World Cup outfit in the shape of co-hosts Canada at the end of next week.

That latter fixture is the one that the Ireland manager has targeted for more experimentation after selecting a squad which blends vast experience with a host of emerging options, including uncapped 18-year-olds Mason Melia, Jaden Umeh and Adam Brennan.

“Given the time we have, more or less this is the only day we have a proper training with everybody ready and fit, so we will go for experience (tonight), and start with the ones that have been with us before,” Hallgrimsson confirmed at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference at FAI HQ.

“It gives us then another week to prepare the younger guys for the Canada match.

“Hopefully we can give some of them some time on the pitch (tonight), but given this is a strong opponent going for the World Cup, I know them quite well. I know we need experience when we play them, so we go for that.”

The Ireland boss also said Troy Parrott should be able to play a part against a Qatar side managed by former Real Madrid, Spain, Wolves and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui.

The AZ Alkmaar striker had to come off after 37 minutes of the final Eredivisie game of the season on 17 May.

“Troy was taken off early in his last game and sat out the final game of the season,” his international manager said.

“But he is OK, he did some individual training (on Tuesday) and then he came and joined the training, just (for) assessment.

“We’ll take it carefully with him but he’s fit and everybody is fit.”

The squad needed reshaping by Monday in the wake of a host of withdrawals from the original selection.

While in-form Strasbourg defender Andrew Omobamidele was ruled out due to injury and Southampton left-back Ryan Manning will also not be involved, central midfield is the area most hit by withdrawals.

Middlesbrough duo Alan Browne and Alex Gilbert as well as Southampton’s Finn Azaz are all unavailable in the wake of the eventful Championship play-offs.

Bohemians’ Dawson Devoy and Charlton Athletic’s Conor Coventry will also only link up with the squad in the build-up to Canada.

Hence, one of St Mirren’s Killian Phillips and Hibernian’s Jamie McGrath is in line to start alongside Jayson Molumby tonight, with Hallgrimsson describing them as “both good options”, after initially leaving them out of the original squad.

Molumby himself is only going to be involved against Qatar, having been part of the training camp and friendly against Grenada in Murcia earlier in May.

Hallgrimsson said he had absolutely no issue with those that have withdrawn given the valid reasons for their non-availability.

But he did add that other players could use the opportunity to move up the pecking order going into the Nations League in autumn, citing the example of how Lincoln City’s debutant Jack Moylan had staked a claim with his hat-trick and overall performance against Grenada.

“We’re just happy with the players we have, we’re trying to focus on those that we are working with, not those who are not here.

“It just gives opportunities for those who are in and it’s our job to work with those players. So we’re just focusing on them, we’re not thinking about those who couldn’t come for one reason or another,” he said.

“That’s the negative side of not coming, being injured, you give others an opportunity to play and shine and hopefully like (what) happened in Spain, the likes of Jack Moylan coming in, grabbing his opportunity now, and getting another chance to impress. That’s football, it’s about moments, being ready when the opportunity comes.

“That’s what football is about, you can lose and win your opportunity in the future so just be ready.”

As for Devoy – one of four League of Ireland call-ups – Hallgrimsson did get to see the Bohs skipper and Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty in action during Monday’s Dublin derby at Dalymount Park.

“It was an entertaining match. Competitive, physical, maybe aesthetically not the best football match we’ve seen. But it was good fun, a good atmosphere and then there’s chaos at the end just to top if off,” he said of Rovers’ last-gasp 2-1 win which was briefly followed by tempestuous scenes between the clubs’ players and officials.

“No, it was lovely. Happy with the players that we picked. Both played well that game. (Devoy) has been one of the best players in the league and that’s why we picked him.”

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