Gibson set for start

Gibson, who has two caps, was not even in the initial squad when it was announced last week but like Kevin Foley, Keith Andrews, Anthony Stokes and Caleb Folan, he performed so impressively in the 'B' team fixture against Nottingham Forest that he received a late call-up.

Now he will get his chance on the big stage in place of the injured Steven Reid after Trapattoni's decision to cast his net a little wider paid dividends.

"You have to change. When the water is still in the summer, it stagnates and smells, so you have to change," the Italian tactician said. "I am happy because I have three or four or five more good players in the squad.

"Now if we have injuries or a red card, I can breathe again because I can think about two or three options.

"I always hope Robbie [Keane] plays, but I don't know, a red card or an injury could change things.

"But we have others now. Until last week or a month ago, I didn't know about other strikers.

"At the moment, we have 25, maybe 28 good players."

Gibson's elevation will come as a blow to Sunderland duo Liam Miller - he was widely tipped to plug the gap left by the Blackburn man - and Andy Reid, whose stock seems to have fallen further despite Trapattoni's insistence he does not have a problem with him.

But the 69-year-old has never worried during his time at the helm about making tough decisions, and Gibson's greater height than both Miller and Reid could be a major asset in combating Cyprus's aerial strength.

Ireland head into the match having enjoyed a positive start with four points from their away games against Georgia and Montenegro.

However, with the night's Group 8 game representing the first of three in succession at Croke Park, there could be no better time than to gain revenge for their maulings by Cyprus during the ill-fated qualifying campaign for Euro 2008.

"Sure, Cyprus will be a difficult team - they were difficult also for Italy, and on Saturday, the could have won against Georgia," Trapattoni added.

"But I am confident that our team is now in order. Every player is playing in their position, and we have only to be careful about the little details.

"When I first came here, I said I don't want to change the world in Ireland. We have looked only at the little details because Ireland have lost many games because of little situations.

"Up until now, touch wood, we have been able to achieve that."