Hull City boss Phil Brown is delighted with their trip to Ireland last week.
Brown felt Friday night's friendly match against Galway United was a positive experience for his squad.
While Nick Barmby's first half goal gave the Tigers a 1-0 victory, the fact that several squad members got 90 minutes under their belts was the most pleasing thing for Brown.
"I think you always get something from these ventures," Brown told the club's website.
"We knew we would get a tough game and we knew that one or two of their players would maybe want to get a bit of a scalp out there.
"It was a competitive game and a worthwhile exercise from our point of view. Five or six of our lads hadn't had 90 minutes of football for a long time, but they got that here.
"There are two places up for grabs against Everton next weekend because Anthony Gardner won't be there and neither will Craig Fagan.
"That was the challenge for the players who played against Galway and one or two put themselves forward (for the Everton game)."