Town take on Waterford tonight in the first of two friendlies in three days and Roy Keane is expecting a testing 90 minutes.

The Blues' boss has taken a squad of 20 to the Republic of Ireland, with Town also in action at Cork on Sunday in a game that will see Roy return to his hometown club.

Town were beaten 2-1 at Finn Harps last week in the first friendly of pre-season and Roy is predicting a similarly tough examination by both Irish clubs.

"Waterford and Cork are up and running and playing League games and that is a big benefit when playing League of Ireland clubs," he told the Club website.

"I would expect Cork to be a tougher game because they are in a higher league but as we found out against Finn Harps, these teams don't give you a minute's peace.

"There is also no getting away from the fact that there is that Irish mentality of always wanting to beat the English and that is something to be admired.

"We saw that against Finn Harps that if you think you are going to get five or six touches on the ball then you are sadly mistaken."

Roy has hinted that he will rest Jon Walters and Damien Delaney, who played the 90 minutes in the 3-1 win against Brentford on Wednesday, against Waterford with the boss looking set to field the likes of Owen Garvan and Veliche Shumulikoski, who were second-half substitutes at Griffin Park. 

Former Liverpool Academy player Shane O'Connor, who is on trial with Town, is included in the squad of 20 that flies out to Ireland this morning.