Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given believes tonight's friendly in Hungary is an important stepping-stone towards Euro 2012, writes Glenn Mason.
With the opening game against Croatia in Poznan less than a week away, Given is looking for a confidence-boosting win in Budapest.
He said: "I think it's important. We'd love to win as well of course. Hungary had a very good result on Friday night so there are obviously a very good team. We don't know a lot of their players and they are at home as well, so it will be a tough game for us."
Given added: "It is just about us keeping our match fitness up. It's important that we all put a good shift in.
"We'd love to win of course and keep that going to Sunday. Obviously the big game is next Sunday and we would like to go into that game with a win under our belts."
Despite some concern over his knee injury, Given insists he is fully recovered and said the blisters that kept him out of training on Saturday are a minor irritation.
Speaking after training last night in the Ference Puskas stadium, Given said: "It's just nice to be out training again. Yesterday I had a problem with my two big toes. I have blisters on my two big toes.
"I just felt it was better to leave it yesterday because I could train today and I feel fine now.
"I'm just looking forward to getting playing again. It's been a couple of weeks since the Premier League. I didn't play in Dublin or in Italy during the week, so it'll be nice to get a game under my belt before next Sunday."
As well as earning a morale-boosting win, it is important that Ireland leave Budapest without any injury worries.
However, Given said it will be difficult for the players not to commit to challenges, as injuries easily occur when players pull out of tackles.
Should any of his team-mates pick up a slight injury tonight, Given has advised them to come off early rather than playing on and putting themselves at risk.
He said: "Once you cross the white line, you're playing for your country. It's an international and you're very much focused on what you need to do.
"If you go half-hearted into a tackle or a challenge, then that is when you come out worse. You've got to stay focused on what you're doing.
"If they have got a slight problem, then they would be better to come off rather than make it worse."
