Steve Staunton's selection headache ahead of tomorrow's qualifier with Germany has eased somewhat after Andy Reid took a full part in training at Croke Park this morning. The Charlton captain has overcome his ankle injury and the manger is now praying there is no adverse overnight reaction.
With Stephen Ireland departed, Reid could hold the creative key to spark the Republic of Ireland into life against the Group D leaders and ensure supporters have something to sing about as another frustrating and anti-climactic campaign draws to a close.
Staunton must mull over his defensive options, however. Although Manchester United's John O'Shea did some light work this morning, his availability for tomorrow's game has yet to be confirmed owing to the dead leg he sustained against Wigan last weekend.
The Waterford man will have a fitness test tomorrow morning before Staunton decides whether to partner him or Alex Bruce with Richard Dunne in the heart of defence. Paul McShane will return to play alongside Dunne against Cyprus but is suspended tomorrow.
"He feels a lot more confident but we'll have to wait and see," said Staunton of O'Shea before adding that nothing should be taken from Jonathan Douglas role at centre back during the end of session training match.
Darren Potter will definitely not play against Germany because of a groin injury. The team's medical staff will assess his condition on Sunday and the midfielder will return to Wolves if deemed unfit for Wednesday's game.
Reading striker Kevin Doyle sat out today's session but is not considered a doubt for either game. He was rested as a precaution after accidentally kicking McShane's studs during training in Malahide yesterday.
Staunton also denied Liam Miller - added midweek as cover for Ireland - arrived at team base carrying a groin injury as suggested by Roy Keane yesterday following Sunderland's recent defeat to Arsenal.
"Well he trained very well yesterday and very well today," said Staunton. "According to Liam it was a bit of fatigue, nothing major. He wouldn't have been able to train like he did yesterday and today if there was a problem."
While qualification is all but dead in the water, the manager insists motivation has not been an issue. Whatever inspiring words Staunton draws on tomorrow will be fuelled by leaked feedback he has received from a senior German delegation that attended Ireland's win over Wales earlier this year.
"We heard the comments from the German delegation," he said. "And if I was an Irish supporter, which I am, I wouldn't have been too happy. They weren't very complimentary about Croke Park, about the atmosphere or about our chances.
"They said the pitch was too far from supporters and that the fans did not have an affect on the team. Had they come to the Slovakian game (four days later) they might have had a different attitude. But we'll use that to motivate the players."
The German officials might have had a point in some respects as the atmosphere during that historic day lacked punch. But it was a day-time kick-off unlike Slovakia and tomorrow's test which is again under lights - a fact not lost on Staunton.
With little more than pride and the fight for seedings at stake, Staunton was drawing on the positives when asked to measure progress since that disastrous night in Nicosia last October.
"We'll we've grown stronger together," he said. We've not had a consistent squad. We've had numerous injuries over the last 12 months and . . . it would be nice one day to pick from a full compliment of players.
"The younger players have come in and done themselves proud. They've got a bit of experience under their belts and know what it's all about now. They're itching to get their chance and really looking forward to every game and trip. It's been good progress."
"There's a perception out there that we should win every game but we're not one of the powerhouses of world soccer. We do our best and will always try to do so."
