Dunne: Bulgaria clash is the priority

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne is aiming to kill off Bulgaria's World Cup challenge to set up a table-topping showdown with Italy.

Ireland entertain the Bulgarians at Croke Park on Saturday evening before jetting off for their clash with the reigning champions in Bari four days later with only goal difference separating the Group Eight pace-setters after four matches.

However, while the clash between Giovanni Trapattoni's men and his native country has been eagerly anticipated ever since the draw was made, Manchester City star Dunne insists the fixture which immediately precedes it is the more important of the two.

The Republic and Italy are well clear at the top of the group on 10 points, with Stanimir Stoilov's side a distant third with just three points having played a game fewer.

Defeat in Dublin could leave Bulgaria with a huge battle to snatch one of the top qualification places and leave the teams currently in possession to fight it out over the remaining games of the campaign.

Dunne said: ‘This is the bigger game, really. This is the one we have to win because when the group was drawn, I suppose everyone thought 'Italy are through and the rest can fight it out'.

‘We have to make sure Bulgaria are 10 points behind us come Sunday morning, and then we will go into the Italian game full of confidence.

‘We believe within our own group that we can upset the Italians and we can take points from them as well.’

Dunne, of course, is a veteran of his country's last successful qualifying campaign, for the 2002 World Cup finals, and is well placed to judge the encouraging start they have made under Trapattoni's guidance.

He firmly believes they have not had a better opportunity to make it to a major tournament since, and is in no mood to pass up the chance of playing on the big stage at South Africa 2010.

Dunne said: ‘We have had big ones when we did actually qualify, but in recent times, this is as good an opportunity as we have and in that sense, the two games are massive.

‘And this first one probably more so because if we can beat Bulgaria, it will hopefully get them out of the way and we can fight it out for top spot with Italy.’

The mood in the Irish camp is in stark contrast to that which existed during their attempts to reach the finals of Euro 2008 when costly early defeats meant the campaign was a damp squib long before it drew to a close.

Dunne admitted: ‘Everything had gone. We had lost games early on in that group and that just set the tone for it.

‘There was never a chance of us qualifying from probably the second or third game in and as it went on, the whole group just petered out.

‘The quality has been in the squad and maybe at times, it hasn't been selected.

‘But this time, the manager has been picking the strongest squad he possibly can and once we are all fit and everyone is free from suspension, we have got as good a chance as we have had for a long time.’

However, by the same token, Dunne knows the three points at stake on Saturday will be hard fought even if Bulgaria are missing injured star striker Dimitar Berbatov.

He said: ‘He is a very good player. He is a player who can cause anyone trouble, so for him to be missing from their team...

‘He is a big focal point for their team - he is their captain as well.

‘But on the other hand, they have got [City team-mate Valeri] Bojinov coming back, who I have been training with, and he looks really sharp.

‘If he plays, he is going to be a real danger for us.’

Another City colleague, Shay Given, is due to arrive in Dublin tomorrow after staying behind for treatment on a shoulder injury, while Celtic winger Aiden McGeady did not train today as he recovers from a minor knock.

However, both are expected to be fit for Saturday's game.