McCarthy aims for maximum points

Mick McCarthy's injury-hit squad will have to deal with a threadbare pitch for tomorrow evening's must-win World Cup qualifier in Estonia. The Republic manager admits the Irish must gain maximum points from their three remaining qualifiers to have any realistic hope of finishing top of Group Two and grabbing the solitary automatic ticket to next summer's finals in Japan and South Korea. That is despite the fact that they are still a point clear at the top of the table and unbeaten in seven qualifiers so far.

McCarthy reasons that Portugal, who came away with a 1-1 draw in Dublin on Saturday through Luis Figo's late equaliser, will win all their four remaining games and finish with a superior goal-difference. If this happens, Ireland would face another dreaded play-off for the third major championships in a row.

Holland are finishing fast after dropping important points at the start of the campaign. They boosted their claim on the runners-up spot by scoring three times in the last six minutes on Saturday to overturn Estonia's shock 2-1 lead.

This victory was achieved despite playing on a battered, rutted surface which officials from the Irish advanced-guard in Tallinn described as "appalling". Even more alarming is that the Republic's Under-21 side will play their Estonian counterparts on the same pitch in a meaningless European Championship qualifier just 24 hours ahead of the World Cup game.

McCarthy insisted: "We know it is not the best pitch we've ever played on but we've just got to get on with it. It will be a different game to the one against Portugal and a lot will depend on our attitude. It is a matter of getting everything right in that respect, both physically and mentally - and there is certainly no complacency here."

McCarthy has taken advice from old pal and Scotland manager Craig Brown, whose side have met Estonia several times in recent years. "From speaking to Craig, he's always said they are not a bad side at all and told me to be wary of them.

"They will be up for it after their performance against Holland and having looked at that on video it seems to me they deserved a draw. But there's no doubt in my mind that we have to win if we want to stay in contention for that top spot.

"Two wins and a draw out of the last three would probably put us in play-offs again, which would not leave me too unhappy. But we've got to aim for a total of 24 points because I'm sure Portugal will get that from their remaining matches against Cyprus twice, Andorra and Estonia. Unfortunately, they will probably amass quite a few goals as well in doing that and overtake us on that basis," he said.

The Republic had to grind down a stubborn defence to beat Estonia 2-0 in Dublin in October after opening the campaign with heroic draws in Holland and Portugal. This time around, they will badly miss their inspirational skipper Roy Keane, who was suspended after his yellow card against the Portuguese on Saturday. Ipswich Town's Matt Holland will step in, but with centre backs Gary Breen and Kenny Cunningham still injured, the captaincy is likely to go to Steve Staunton, who is set to win a record-breaking 89th cap after filling an unfamiliar central defence role last Saturday.

"Steve has a sore toe but should be all right and if he's selected has a good chance of being captain," said McCarthy. "I had to throw him into a new partnership with young Richard Dunne last Saturday but considering he only knew he was playing on Friday morning he was excellent.

"It just showed how fit he is and how well he has looked after himself. He may no longer play every game but he's still an important man for us with the way he can influence things on the pitch and talk to people," said McCarthy.

The 32-year-old defender only started 16 times last season in his second spell at Aston Villa but approaches his record Irish appearance with typical candour. He said: "Records are nice but if this one comes on Wednesday my only motivation will be the three points. Records are things to look back on after your career and I intend to go for a few years yet."

McCarthy has called-up Newcastle United centre half Andrew O'Brien from the Under-21 squad as extra cover in defence but also has Tottenham's Gary Doherty available. O'Brien, a £2million St James' Park signing from relegated Bradford City in March, was due to captain the Ireland Under-21 side against Estonia tonight, but the under-age squad's manager Don Givens has now passed the honour to Celtic midfielder Colin Healy.

Givens has delayed the selection of his side until fitness tests on striker Graham Barrett (throat infection) and midfielder Damien Delaney (groin). However, Clinton Morrison, the Crystal Palace forward who made his Under-21 debut in Friday's 1-0 defeat by Portugal, is confident of overcoming a calf-strain to win his second cap. (PA)

Filed by Greg McKevitt