The Republic of Ireland squad trained in Abbotstown today as they gear up for two crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers against Germany and Poland this week.
The Boys in Green go into the final two games in Group D in third place, two points behind second placed Poland and four ahead of Scotland in fourth. If Poland win away to Scotland on Thursday, Ireland are guaranteed third spot regardless of how they get on against Germany.
However should Scotland get a draw in Glasgow then Ireland will need at least a point from the two games and if Scotland win it would actually give Ireland a chance of finishing second but they’d have to win in Warsaw. The Scots have the luxury of a game against Gibraltar to finish off their campaign.
Ireland manager Martin O'Neill knows Germany are in much better form than they were in Gelsenkirchen twelve months ago:
Seamus Coleman is the main injury concern for Martin O’Neill after missing the Merseyside derby for Everton with a hamstring injury but he did do some fitness work today away from the rest of the Ireland squad.
Coleman hasn’t played for his club since early September and with two games to come O’Neill might decide not to risk him against Germany on Thursday.
The Ireland manager went with that approach last month when he played Cyrus Christie against Gibraltar before Coleman returned to face Georgia.
Christie sat out today’s session but the Derby County defender said it was to give him an extra day to recover from a hip injury he picked up two weeks ago. Martin O’Neill was at Derby over the weekend to see Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick play and there’s a possibility all three could start at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.
Marc Wilson is still at Stoke trying to overcome a calf injury and with Ciaran Clark ruled out, Keogh could be named in central defence alongside John O’Shea.
Cyrus Christie is ready to face Germany if Seamus Coleman doesn't make it:
The last time Germany played in Dublin was three years ago when they won 6-1 at the Aviva Stadium. Shay Given had retired after Euro 2012 so it was Keiren Westwood who picked the ball out of the net six times.
Given is back as Ireland's number one and he says facing the World Champions will be a special occasion:
