IT'S decision day for Southampton's Rory Delap, whose World Cup dreams could end in joy or despair depending on one phone call.

Mick McCarthy today names his 23-man Republic of Ireland squad and for the Saints midfielder he is desperately hoping he will be included when the Irish boss makes the announcement this morning at a Dublin Airport hotel.

The pundits are predicting heartbreak for the 25-year-old, who has won six caps and featured in the last Republic outing against the USA last month.

The Republic boss has said all along that the players travelling to Korea and Japan a week on Friday will be the ones who got the team there in the first place.

McCarthy has probably had 22 names in his head for several weeks now, and used the last three friendlies to decide who would claim that final spot in his squad.

If performances in those friendlies - against Russia, Denmark and the USA - are the deciding factor, then the final place in McCarthy's squad looks like going to Celtic midfielder Colin Healy.

That will mean heartbreak for Delap, along with Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien, and Tottenham utility player Gary Doherty. It may also mean that one of two wingers, either Millwall's Steven Reid or Mark Kennedy of Wolves, will miss out.

McCarthy is one of those managers who would make a good poker player. Nothing much fazes the Irishman and he gives little away by keeping his cards close to his chest.

His fierce loyalty means the team virtually picks itself - barring any injuries between now and the start of the tournament.

McCarthy said he was pleased with Delap's performance against the USA, but the midfielder, signed for a record £4million by Southampton last summer, did not feature in any of the Republic's World Cup qualifying games.

Reflecting on the performances of Delap and Celtic midfielder Healy after the USA game, McCarthy admitted they had given him something to think about before he names his final 23-man squad.

"I don't know my 23," McCarthy said at the time. "I did - I had it in mind, but then we got four, five or six injuries which has thrown it into confusion.

"People like Rory Delap and Colin Healy have come in and done well. They've showed me that I've got a strong squad to choose from and that we can cope."

Wayne Bridge will know whether he will be on the plane to Japan with England when Sven-Goran Eriksson announces his squad in London on Thursday.

Svensson was due to reveal the 23-man squad today, but has delayed the announcement by 48 hours to allow for the Manchester United v Arsenal and Liverpool v Blackburn games tomorrow night.

Bridge, who has won three England caps, is almost certain to figure, and he said: "Like everyone else, I am desperate to know, but it just means waiting a little longer. I am hopeful of being included, but I don't want to take anything for granted."