Steve Staunton refused to be drawn into a war of words with Roy Keane after the Sunderland manager indirectly criticised a number of senior Republic of Ireland players.

Keane suggested yesterday some members of the current squad are living off their reputations and not producing quality performances in the games that count.

Amongst other things, he said there was a "fine line between loyalty and stupidity" and that some were selected on "reputations they have built through the media or because they do a lot of interviews".

But Staunton today refused to criticise his former team-mate when questioned by journalists after team-training in Malahide this morning.

"Roy has got his own opinions and they are his opinions. I'm here to deal with Ireland," he said.

"Roy has done a wonderful job at Sunderland, that's his job but I've got mine to do here.  I'll pick my team and that's the end of it.  It's not about Roy Keane now.  It's about Ireland playing a European qualifier on Saturday."

Ahead of the Wales game at Croke Park, Staunton is in the unusual position of having a full complement of players to select from.

Paul McShane and Stephen Ireland were carrying ankle knocks when they arrived at the team base earlier in the week but both trained today.  Still, medical staff will closely monitor their progress.

"McShane and Ireland both trained and there has been no reaction as yet," said Staunton.  "We'll wait and see what happens later on but hopefully there is nothing to report.

"For a change we've a clean bill of health. We'll assess the two lads again tomorrow then we'll know better.

"Hopefully nobody goes down with any injury or illness between now and Saturday," he added.  "We're taking nothing for granted but hopefully all is well."

Staunton, who concedes a draw will be of no use to his team in light of their group position, said he has selected his starting team but will not reveal its components until closer to match-time.

• A limited number of tickets for the Slovakia game at Croke Park on Wednesday night will go on sale at FAI offices in Merrion Square, Dublin tomorrow morning.  Tickets will be sold between 11am and 5pm with cash and credit card accepted.  There are no tickets available for the Wales game on Saturday.