Preview - Republic of Ireland v Bosnia

Republic of Ireland host Bosnia-Herzegovina in Dublin on Monday with their Euro 2016 qualifying play-off with the tie delicately balanced.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the fog in Zenica on Friday evening, a result that gives the Republic a slim advantage heading into the return clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Republic manager Martin O'Neill knows that a goalless draw will be enough to see his team progress to next summer's European championship in France.

However, O'Neill has warned his players that relying on their away goal to seal their place in France next summer would be a "recipe for disaster".

"Obviously, it would be terrific if we could do it, but I have to be very, very mindful of the fact that we are a long way away from doing that," he said.

"We have to put things into perspective: Bosnia are capable of scoring, they could wipe that advantage, that away goal that we have within minutes of the game, and then suddenly they are on the front foot.

"If we think that we can keep them out for 90 minutes and camp ourselves just outside our own penalty area, that would be a recipe for disaster.

Martin O'Neill believes his players can't afford to rely on their away goal against Bosnia

"We have to consider being really on the front foot, genuinely, and going and trying to win this game, and that's it.

"If you'd thought that we'd have to win in the Aviva for the final time, you probably would have taken that."

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark said he is fully focused after his side scored a crucial away goal in their 1-1 draw with Bosnia

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark said he is fully focused after his side scored a crucial away goal in their 1-1 draw with Bosnia

One player the Republic will need to keep a close eye on is Bosnia winger Edin Visca, who produced an impressive display in the first leg at the Bilino Polje Stadium, creating Edin Dzeko's late equaliser.

"They raid down the right-hand side because they've got a very, very fine right winger," O'Neill added. "What they want to do is try to get it out to the little lad, who is exceptionally talented.

"I think he could cause problems to anybody."

Forward Shane Long and defender John O'Shea trained with the Republic squad on Sunday morning and the duo could now be fit to face Bosnia after knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters will be back from suspension after missing the game in Zenica.

However, Daryl Murphy, who led the line in Long's absence in the first leg, was the only man to sit out the warm-up, while veteran goalkeeper Shay Given misses the match with a knee injury.

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Pulis Promises McClean Chat

West Brom manager Tony Pulis says he will speak to winger James McClean if he thinks the wide man was to blame for a post-match melee which marred the win over Sunderland.

The Baggies secured a crucial 1-0 win over the Black Cats thanks to a second-half goal from Saido Berahino.

And former Sunderland man McClean provoked anger among the visiting players when he celebrated in front of the away fans at the end of the match.

McClean has claimed he was hung out to dry by Sunderland following his refusal to wear a Remembrance Day poppy in 2012.

And the Republic of Ireland international, who left Sunderland in 2013, was jeered by the visiting fans throughout the game.

He was confronted by Danny Graham and Lee Cattermole after his post-match celebrations, sparking a fracas involving players from both sides.

Pulis did not see the brawl and said: "Let me have a look at it first.

"I'd heard a roar or whatever and didn't know whether the players were involved in something.

"If he's out of order, I'll speak to him.

"He played really well today, James. He's settled in really well and is a smashing lad. The lads have really taken to him.

"He's not the sharpest tool in the box, and that's not being disrespectful to him. But he's a smashing lad."

Victory moved Albion seven points clear of the drop zone and Pulis preferred to focus on that aspect of the afternoon.

"I think the win was more important than anything else today," he said.

"And I thought, second-half, we played a lot better than we did first-half. We had gone away from getting clean sheets, so to get a clean sheet was good."

And Pulis also thought it was important to secure a first home league win of the campaign. 

"We played really well against Everton for 58 minutes, conceded a goal, and then went to pieces," he said. "We were 2-0 up and then conceded three goals, which was a real kick in the stomach.

"We needed a win, that is what we have got today, and hopefully that will give the lads confidence playing out here."

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Republic of Ireland v Germany - Preview

Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany with injury.

Manager Martin O'Neill confirmed on Wednesday that the Everton defender has a hamstring injury which will keep him out of Thursday's tie in Dublin.

However he is hopeful Coleman, who has not trained all week, could be available for the final Group D clash against Poland on Sunday in Warsaw.

Fears over Wes Hoolahan's fitness have eased after he trained on Wednesday.

The Norwich midfielder has a heel problem but is expected to start with midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean suspended.

Coleman has missed recent games for Everton with the hamstring injury which also kept him out of the Republic's win over Gibraltar last month.

Cyrus Christie could again deputise for Coleman in the crucial Group D clash.

The Derby County player scored his first international goal in the 4-0 qualifier win over Gibraltar, although Coleman was back in the side that beat Georgia.

Defender Marc Wilson is a major doubt having stayed at his club Stoke City for treatment on a calf injury.

Martin O'Neill's side face a tough double-header, but victory in just one of the matches would guarantee at least a third-place finish and a play-off spot.

Two draws would not be enough for the Republic if Scotland, who trail them by four points, win their final games against the Poles and Gibraltar.

Midfielder Wes Hoolahan should feature against Germany after recovering from a heel injury

At Tuesday's training, assistant manager Roy Keane said he expected the Republic's record goalscorer Robbie Keane to be ready to face Germany if selected days after the birth of his second son.

The 35-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker was not due to arrive in Dublin until Tuesday evening after his wife Claudine gave birth on the other side of the Atlantic.

Asked whether his former team-mate would be available for the showdown with group leaders Germany, Keane said: "Yes, why wouldn't he be?

"He didn't have the baby. Unless he's breast-feeding he should be all right."

The younger Keane was part of the team that secured a famous 1-1 draw with the world champions courtesy of John O'Shea's injury-time strike in Gelsenkirchen in October last year.

That result came amid an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign by Joachim Low's men, who have since put together a run of five successive qualifier victories.

Assistant boss Keane said the world champions would be a different proposition this time around, but he was confident Ireland had improved too.

He said: "I think we are a stronger team. Like you would expect with any campaign, teams improve.

"Germany were a bit sluggish at the start, but with all the qualities they have it was only a matter of time before they started winning matches and topped the group.

"But we will be ready

#IRLGER

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Keane Laughs from Roy

Roy Keane is expecting the Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer, Robbie Keane, to be ready to face Germany on Thursday despite the recent arrival of his second son. The 35-year-old LA Galaxy striker was not due to arrive in Dublin until Tuesday evening after his wife, Claudine, gave birth in America.

Asked if his former team-mate would be available for the critical match against the Group D leaders at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland’s assistant manager said: “Yes, why wouldn’t he be? He didn’t have the baby. Unless he’s breastfeeding he should be all right.”

The striker was part of the team that secured a famous 1-1 draw with the world champions courtesy of John O’Shea’s injury-time strike in Gelsenkirchen in October last year, and a repeat at the Aviva could have a major say in whether or not they make it to the finals in France next summer.

That result came amid an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign by Joachim Löw’s men, who have since put together a run of five successive qualifier victories. However, while the former Manchester United captain Keane admits they will be a different proposition this time around, he is confident Ireland have improved too.

He said: “I think we are a stronger team. Like you’d expect with any campaign, teams improve. We were still new to the job at the time and, yes, I think we are a better team.

“But certainly Germany’s form, as you would have expected – they were a bit sluggish at the start, but with all the qualities they have it was only a matter of time before they started winning matches and topped the group, no doubt. But we will be ready.”

Ireland go into an intensely difficult pair of games – they face second-placed Poland in Warsaw on Sunday evening in their final match – knowing victory in just one of those matches will guarantee at least a third-place finish and a play-off spot. However, they are equally aware that should Scotland, who trail them by four points, beat both the Poles and Gibraltar, even creditable draws against the Germans and in Warsaw would mean they miss out.

O’Neill’s number two said: “I’ve said it before, this is what the players and this is what we are in the game for. It’s a big game, we are playing quality opposition. This is what it’s all about.”

The Republic have a series of selection headaches with the midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean suspended and the full-back Séamus Coleman, the central defender Marc Wilson and the playmaker Wes Hoolahan carrying knocks.

Cyrus Christie, who could yet deputise for the hamstring victim Coleman, did train at Abbotstown on Tuesday morning but the management team will keep their collective fingers crossed as they await news on their walking wounded.

The former Aston Villa assistant Keane adopted a similar stance to that of O’Neill over Jack Grealish’s decision to opt to represent England rather than Ireland. He had tried to persuade the 20-year-old to continue to play for the nation he has represented at age group levels up to under-21 during their time together in the Midlands but ultimately accepted his decision to choose the country of his birth.

O’Neill had earlier launched a stern defence of his handling of the situation, insisting he had not prostituted himself in a bid to land the youngster, and asked if everything had been done that could be done, Keane said: “Yes, absolutely. What more can you do?

“I think the manager did everything he could. Jack was already playing for Ireland and you were hoping that he’d continue. That’s life, you move on.”

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Gundogan Ready for Eire

Germany will have to beat 11 Irish players on the field and thousands off it when they look to win the point they need to qualify for EURO 2016 this Thursday, according to Ilkay Gundogan and Jerome Boateng.

Having beaten Scotland in front of a partisan crowd in Glasgow last month, Germany have already had a taste of what they can expect at the Aviva Stadium this week with the atmosphere seen as one of the biggest challenges they will face.

"The fans make it a great atmosphere, but we just have to focus on our game," said Bayern Munich defender Boateng.

Dortmund midfielder Gundogan added: "I think that Ireland are similar to Scotland and it's going to be a great atmosphere, and I think we can all look forward to it.

"We beat Scotland, though, and we should be aiming to do the same in Dublin to book our ticket (to France)."

"We do hear the fans, but even if we put together a good move or score a good goal you always get applause from the home fans here."

A point would suffice on Thursday for Germany to seal their qualification mathematically.

They will nevertheless not be parking the bus and playing for a draw in Dublin with Gundogan explaining that is not the world champions' mentality.

"We've not even had the chance to talk about it yet, but I don't think we're going to aim to get the point we need and play a tactical game," he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"We want to win, of course, and I'm sure we'll play for all three points."

Boateng has warned that Germany will have to be patient and wait for their chances, but he is equally convinced that those fans who will be jeering their every touch at the start of the game will be recognising their quality come the end.

"This is a very important game in which we want to get the points to qualify," he said.

"We've got to keep things tight to start with and be patient, and then look for the gaps and try to exploit them. We do hear the fans, but even if we put together a good move or score a good goal you always get applause from the home fans here.

"They are very respectful. It's great to see how fair most of the fans are in Ireland."

Lukas Podolski is a doubt for the trip to Ireland due to an ankle injury, but Thomas Muller is on board and expected to be Germany's danger man once again.

"You never know what Thomas Muller's going to do next," said Gundogan, who was unable to keep the Bayern midfielder quiet in his side's 5-1 defeat at the weekend which saw Muller on target twice.

"With some players you can second guess them, but with Thomas Muller you have no idea.

"He just pops up in front of goal, unmarked, and does it really smartly. He's very important for Bayern and for Germany too."

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Aviva Welcome for Poland

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Republic of Ireland host Group D leaders Poland in Dublin looking to keep in touch with second place after picking up seven points from their first four games.

Germany, Scotland and Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland all sit on the same number of points, three behind Poland, with six games remaining.

They were beaten in Scotland in November after picking up two wins and a fine draw in Germany, while Poland have won three and drawn one, including an impressive win over the world champions.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson has returned to Everton with a groin problem, but full-back Stephen Ward and winger James McClean, who had ankle knocks, were both able to train on Friday. Hull winger Robbie Brady and Stoke's Marc Wilson are on standby to fill in at left-back if Ward is not fit.

Derby's Jeff Hendrick (hip) will miss the game and O'Neill is likely to partner James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan in central midfield

O'Neill has given away little about his selection and will not name his team until Sunday, but the final open training session suggested he may employ a three-man defence and wing-backs against the Poles.

Poland's injury list includes Lukasz Piszczek, Kamil Grosicki, Artur Jedrzejczyk and Michal Zyro, while Borussia Dortmund star Jakub Blaszczykowski has been left out of the squad amid newspaper reports of a spat with star striker Robert Lewandowski. However, coach Adam Nawałka insists he is concerned over the player's fitness after a year out with knee ligament damage.

With Wojciech Szczesny not featuring for his club Arsenal, Nawalka has announced that Swansea's Lukasz Fabianski will start in goal for his side with Artur Boruc on the bench.

Ireland's record in 25 games against Poland is W6 D9 L10. It was 0-0 when they last met, in a friendly in Poznan on 19 November 2013.

They have only met twice in competitive fixtures, and both matches ended in a draw – 0-0 in Dublin and 3-3 in Poznan in EURO '92 qualifying.

Ireland have won three of their last four competitive games at the Dublin Arena.

Poland have won both of their away games in Group D, scoring 11 goals and conceding none.

Poland come into this match having played exactly 100 UEFA European Championship games, with the record W41 D28 L31.

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World Champions Lose Pole Position

Republic of Ireland are expected to make a number of changes ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Group D rivals Germany.

Stephen Quinn, Glenn Whelan, Shane Long and Jon Walters were all missing from their 7-0 thrashing of Gibraltar on Saturday, but the quartet are expected to make an appearance in Gelsenkirchen as Martin O’Neill attempts to combat Die Mannschaft’s wealth of attacking options.

O’Neill, whose Ireland side are currently second in the group, admits he’s wary of a German backlash following the World Cup winners’ shock 2-0 defeat to Poland on Saturday.

"I think Germany have a history of coming roaring back pretty quickly from whatever set-backs they have had," said O'Neill. 

"They had most of the possession (against Poland) and should have been 2-0 up at half-time, I think regardless of retirements and injuries they will still be formidable.

"Germany lost after conceding a goal just after half-time, which they wouldn't normally have done.

"Germany are Germany, let's not beat around the bush, they are a top quality team and it's less than four months after they lifted the World Cup.”

Joachim Low’s side are in an unfamiliar fourth position at the moment, but are still heavy favourites to qualify for France 2016 as Group D winners.

Despite having the odds stacked in their favour, Low is expecting a difficult game at the Veltins Arena against a combative Ireland team.

“We can expect another copy of the Poland game, they are extremely strong in the tackle," said Low in Monday's press conference.

"They have similar type of players to Poland with Keane, who has plenty of experience, up front. They have quick players like (Everton's Aiden) McGeady on the flanks who dribble well and can always cause danger.

"They now have six points and have justified hopes of qualifying for the tournament in France."

Sunderland defender John O'Shea is set to win his 100th cap for Ireland, while playmaker Wes Hoolahan is expected to be dropped in favour of a more defensive approach, despite the Norwich man’s impressive performance against Gibraltar.

Jeff Hendrick and winger James McClean could also be dropped, with Quinn or Whelan expected to be given the nod.

Low will be forced into one change from their loss to Poland, with defensive midfielder Christoph Kramer withdrawing from the squad with flu symptoms.

Kramer’s absence means that Hoffenheim’s Sebastian Rudy or Dortmund’s Matthias Ginter could start alongside central midfielder Toni Kroos, while the German boss confirmed that Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi will start on the right wing.

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Wonderful Wonderful Gelsenkirchen

A stoppage-time goal from John O'Shea on his 100th cap preserved the Republic of Ireland's unbeaten record in European qualifying by rescuing them a 1-1 draw away to world champions Germany.

It looked as though Martin O'Neill's men were set for their first defeat of the campaign after Toni Kroos' long-range shot had given the home side the lead with 19 minutes to go in Gelsenkirchen.

But O'Shea, who is his country's sixth international centurion, was on hand to flick the ball into the bottom corner of the net with the last kick of the game to salvage a point.

This means that Ireland are second in Group D, level with Poland on seven points (but having scored a goal less) and three points ahead of Germany.

Prior to his late heroics, O'Shea had been part of an Ireland defence that had fought valiantly for 70 minutes to repel a German team who were looking to bounce back from a defeat in Poland that had brought an end to their 19-game unbeaten run in competitive matches.

For much of the match they did just this, keeping their shape and restricting the home side the space they needed around the box to capitalise on their vastly superior possession.

Ireland’s cause was helped by a sluggish first-half display from a German side who are still adjusting to the post-World Cup retirements of Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose and missing Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Andre Schurrle through injury.

The traffic was all one way but largely came to a halt ahead of the 18-yard box as Mario Gotze and Julian Draxler struggled while Thomas Muller was far less influential than he had been during the World Cup in Brazil.

Saying that, they could easily have led at the break but for the crossbar denying Erik Durm's somewhat speculative 40-yard effort, Antonio Rudiger heading wide when he should have hit the target from 10 yards out and David Forde saving well from a Draxler angled shot.

The home side came out with renewed vigour after the break, having sent on Lukas Podolski – one of only six substitutes named by Low.

Forde produced a superb save to palm over a Kroos shot, but he was powerless to prevent a low drive from the same player later in the half, which found the back of the net off the inside of the post.

Now needing to chase the game, Ireland sent on Hoolahan and he was presented with an excellent chance to snatch a point when he was found in the box by a low cross from James McClean but his goalbound effort was blocked by the sliding Durm.

With 90 minutes having elapsed, Ireland launched one last attack and, when Hoolahan's over-hit cross was played back into the box by fellow substitute Jeff Hendrick, acting captain O'Shea was there with a neat finish to send the away fans into ecstasy.

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