Martin O'Neill is confident James McClean will give the Republic of Ireland a very welcome fitness boost for the crunch World Cup qualifier in Vienna tomorrow evening.
Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, James McCarthy and full-back Stephen Ward are all out of the Group D trip, and doubts had lingered over West Brom winger McClean's availability as he struggled with a back injury.
However, after the Derry man did some light training on Thursday night, O'Neill will put the 27-year-old through his paces again tonight. If he emerges unscathed from that, his manager will consider him ready to go.
"James is improving greatly, thankfully," O'Neill told RTÉ Sport. "He was in great discomfort at the weekend and came to us on Monday.
Martin O'Neill is upbeat on James McClean's chances of featuring in Vienna tomorrow night #RTEsoccer https://t.co/wlO9B3sKnj
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 11, 2016
"He wasn't great, but a lot of good work by everyone, including James himself, has him pretty good. He trained yesterday.
"He didn't do a great deal but he trained. I expect him to do something tonight. If that was the case he would declare himself fit. James is one of those, if he is feeling bad he would definitely be feeling bad. But he is recovering and that's good."
Austria are fourth in the table, three points behind the Irish after three games, but are studded with considerable quality and are still expected to be in the shake-up.
O'Neill batted away suggestions his side will set up for a draw at the Ernst Happel Stadion though, insisting they'll be positive and adventurous.
"I don't know how you actually play for a draw.
"I don't think I've ever ever heard a manager regardless of how brilliant or mediocre he was going to a game and thinking beforehand of how to play or how to plan for one.
"Our attitude is to out on the front foot, try and be positive and try and go for it."
Watch Austria v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 from 4pm and listen on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport from 2.45pm
