Damien Duff's thigh injury is not expected to sideline him for long and the winger can now plan for the Republic of Ireland's upcoming European qualifiers against Cyprus and the Czech Republic.

The 27-year-old was forced to sit out Newcastle's 1-1 draw at home to Everton on Sunday with what his club described as a "slight thigh problem".

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton yesterday included the Dubliner in his squad for the double-header but was anxiously awaiting news of Duff's scan.

Those results suggest the player can return shortly but Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder will only release Duff for international duty if he first proves his fitness ahead of Saturday week's game in Cyprus.

"He is due to go off on international duty next week but he has to prove his fitness with us first," the manager warned today.

Staunton will no doubt welcome the upbeat bulletin but Duff could well be lacking match practice by the time he travels to Nicosia next week.

Roeder doesn't want to rush his big summer signing back too quickly and feels Thursday's Uefa Cup tie again Levadia Tallinn and Sunday's league game with Manchester United could come too soon.

"Damien's absence will not be a long one," Roeder said, "but we don't know whether he'll be fit to play on Thursday or Sunday."

The Republic of Ireland play away in Cyprus on Saturday week before hosting the Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road four days later.