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Steve Finnan, the Liverpool defender, has come out of international retirement and been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their friendly against Norway on August 20. The right back quit international football in January but has been persuaded to change his mind by Giovanni Trapattoni, the new Ireland manager.

Trapattoni praised Finnan for his decision but also confirmed that Andy O'Brien, of Bolton Wanderers, will not renege on his retirement from the international game. He added that Stephen Ireland, of Manchester City, has also chosen not to make himself available for the national team again, but could in the future.

"I am happy that Steve Finnan has agreed to return. He is an experienced player and he still has a lot to give to the team," Trapattoni said. "I respect Andy O'Brien's decision and I thank him for letting us know.

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"Stephen Ireland has told us he is not yet ready to make himself available but has indicated that he may do so in the future. As I have said before, my door remains open."

Trapattoni has lent his support to the bid to seek a neutral venue for his country's World Cup qualifier against Georgia next month. The fixture, which is due to take place in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on September 6, had been thrown into question because of the conflict between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

The Football Association of Ireland have written to Fifa, Uefa and the Georgian federation to ask that the venue be changed, even though a ceasefire has been agreed between Russia and Georgia. "It is a sad situation in Georgia and I would like to thank Fifa for thinking about that and we will wait to see what Fifa decide," Trapattoni said. "Fifa will think about the calendar and, for me, it is important that the game will be played on September 6."

The Football Association of Wales are expected to find out on Wednesday whether Georgia will travel to Swansea for next week's friendly.

Ireland squad to face Norway: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (West Brom), Bruce (Ipswich), Delaney (QPR), Dunne (Manchester City), Finnan (Liverpool), Foley (Wolves), Kilbane (Wigan), O'Brien (Bolton), O'Shea (Manchester United), Duff (Newcastle), Hunt (Reading), McGeady (Celtic), Miller (Sunderland), Reid (Sunderland), Reid (Blackburn), Whelan (Stoke), Doyle (Reading), Keane (Liverpool), Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland)

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