Stephen Carr is the latest injury worry for Mick McCarthy ahead of tomorrow's crucial World Cup qualifier with Portugal at Lansdowne Road. The Tottenham full back has been struggling with an ankle injury this week, and has reported soreness following today's training session at the Ballsbridge venue.
Meanwhile, McCarthy is also concerned with the fitness of Gary Breen, who has been hampered by a groin strain, and following the withdrawal of Kenny Cunningham earlier in the week his absence would be a major blow to Irish hopes. However, Charlton midfielder Mark Kinsella has been cleared to play after a similar problem, and Robbie Keane is expected to make a full recovery from his ankle problem and start in attack with Niall Quinn.
Richard Dunne is likely to partner Breen should he prove his fitness, while the rest of the team picks itself. One dilemma facing McCarthy is who he plays on the right side of midfield, with Blackburn pair Damien Duff and Jason McAteer, and Manchester City's Mark Kennedy all vying for selection.
Speaking at Lansdowne Road after this morning's light session, McCarthy stressed the importance of the game. He insisted: "It is a huge match for us and it was always going to be so. But there are no nerves, no signs of fatigue among the players despite being at the end of a long season in England and I feel no pressure. It is much better to be involved in these high-profile games at the top of the group than scraping about for points at the bottom. I couldn't possibly be under more pressure now than I was two or three years ago when people were calling for my head after we lost in Macedonia and then Belgium."
McCarthy will delay naming his team until tomorrow as he awaits verdicts on Carr, Breen and Keane. The Irish boss is well aware of the task facing them tomorrow, and despite the confidence gained from the 1-1 draw in Lisbon in October, he will approach the game with caution as he attempts to secure Ireland's place in a major championships for the first time in his managerial reign.
He admitted: "We are up against a Portugal team ranked fifth in the world and as well as being an excellent side they can also dig in and defend when they have to. But we are always confident of doing well at home where we fancy our chances against anybody. I'm not kidding myself that just because we surprised a few people and got a 1-1 draw in Portugal that they are not capable of doing the same to us this time. After all they have superb individuals like Luis Figo who got my vote as best player in the world. But the way the players have come on over the last few years we've cause to be confident of winning and I still think we might need to do that. Even if we beat Portugal tomorrow I still fancy they will finish the campaign with 23 points and that means us needing two more wins to finish top of the group. We are ready for the challenge and the only reason I'm not naming our team yet is because we need to see if there are any bad reactions to today's training session, but I'm confident they will all be OK."
Republic of Ireland (from): Given, Carr, Dunne, Breen, Harte, Duff, Kinsella, Roy Keane, Kilbane, Quinn, Robbie Keane, Kennedy, G Kelly, McAteer.
Portugal (from): Quim, Beto, Litos, Rui Jorge, Frechaut, Meira, Bento, Figo, Rui Costa, Pauleta, Nuno Gomes, Sa Pinto, Joao Pinto, Barbosa, Boa Morte.
Filed by Shane Murray
