Martin O'Neill has admitted Jon Walters is "very doubtful" for the Republic of Ireland's do-or-die Euro 2016 showdown with Italy, amid reports the Azzurri are set to make up to nine changes to their side.
Walters took no part in training on Tuesday as his recovery from a n Achilles injury he suffered in the 1-1 draw with Sweden.
"Jon didn't train [on Tuesday]. I'd have to say he'd be very doubtful for the game.
"When you boil it down to what it's going to be it's a matter of wining the game. If we win there's a fairly decent chance we will be in to the last 16. Four points out of the group, if we can achieve that, would be terrific for us.
"The players know what they have to do and they're ready for it."
Jonathan Walters highly unlikely to face Italy, admits #IRL manager Martin O'Neill. #EURO2016https://t.co/Nba52sELhD
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 21, 2016
Italian media are reporting that Antonio Conte will make drastic changes to his starting lineup - as many as nine new faces could come in for the clash in Lille with their place in the last 16 assured - but O'Neill called for caution and focus as his side look to pull off what would be a famous win regardless.
"Italy have qualified and they will finish top of the group," he said. "They have a number of players on yellow cards, very important players for them.
"This is tournament football. No one would know better than the Italians what it would be like to give some players who've played two games in three or four games a rest if it's possible.
"It wouldn't surprise me if [Conte] did [make nine changes]. I think that's what most coaches would do in the position that they're in.
"We have to play the game with a lot of energy and just be mindful of how decent the Italians are, and just be mindful ourselves of what we achieved against Sweden... and take that sort of performance into consideration when you're thinking about the game.
"It's a fairly lengthy evening. We know at the end of it we have to be in front. It's a case of being very strong to begin with. I think we've to be fresh, alert.
"Whatever comes or goes the players are ready for it. We've done a little bit of training with those who haven't participated in the games and if called upon they're ready."
Martin O'Neill: #IRL team are confident they can beat #ITA and are going to 'go for it' #Euro2016https://t.co/63iSd0ilCF
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 21, 2016
Northern Ireland got off the mark with a memorable 2-0 defeat of Ukraine last Thursday, throwing off the shackles and keeping their hopes of progression alive.
Ireland will need a similar change of performance from their limp 3-0 loss to Belgium if they are to pull off the Italian job, and O'Neill reflected: "It was a great win for Northern Ireland [against Ukraine], absolutely terrific win, and obviously we would like to emulate that.
"When we set off in the group stage we felt we had to win a game, had to win a match, maybe get another point; four points would probably secure it. So we have to win the match, that's it.
"There's good confidence in the team that they can win the game. Obviously they have to fight for everything. We'll try and cut out the mistakes we made against Belgium. I emphasise the players are ready for it. They're going to go for it."
Watch Italy v Republic of Ireland (8pm Wednesday) on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, listen live on Radio 1 or follow the liveblog on RTE.ie
