FLANK forward Eric Miller, who will make his senior debut for Ireland against Italy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, has recovered from the slight bout of influenza that restricted his activity earlier in the week.

Miller was named on Monday to win his first cap, but had been unable to train that day with the Ireland squad currently in the Algarve for winter heat training. However, he was able to have a run on Tuesday afternoon and yesterday took a full part in a session that lasted for well over two hours and ran into the early afternoon. The squad has now completed training and will return home this evening.

Ireland manager Pat Whelan said yesterday. Eric Miller is completely recovered and we do not have any worries about the fitness of any player. The training has gone exceptionally well. The conditions over the last few days have been ideal and we just could not have done the work we got through had we stayed at home, especially bearing in mind the difference in the weather.

"The last few sessions in particular were very satisfactory. We had a nice party on Tuesday night to see in the New Year - nothing excessive in any respect - but it was back to work in the morning for the final training session."

Whelan was particularly pleased at the level of fitness shown by the squad. "The players were fitness tested on Tuesday and the results were extremely good and very encouraging. Some in fact were excellent and exceeded expectations."

The squad had only the one session yesterday and will not train today. Fitness adviser Andy Clarke flew home yesterday after the session was completed and so did A team manager Ray Coughlan because of a family bereavement. The squad will fly back to Dublin today via Gatwick.

"We will have just a brief run on Friday morning," said Whelan. Commenting on the match he said: "We are confident we will win it, but do not anticipate that it will be easy. The Italians are worthy of great respect. Their recent results are indicative of their ability. It is imperative that we win the match and the players are well aware of that and its importance in every possible respect.

The Italian party will arrive in Dublin early this afternoon and are due to train at the Monkstown ground at Sydney Parade at 4.30.

Their preparation has been badly disrupted by the weather in Wales. They had been scheduled to play Caerphilly on Sunday and Llanelli on Tuesday, but both matches were called off because the grounds were unplayable. They are due to announce their team tomorrow morning.

Greystones will be without Paul Noble, Reg Corrigan and Tony Casey for the final of the Smithwicks Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup against Blackrock College at Anglesea Road tomorrow night. The availability of Michael Carney to play in the centre will be determined by a fitness test. If Carney is ruled out, his place will be taken by Geoff Gardiner.