Italy v Republic of Ireland - Preview - Group C

Kevin Doyle has been restored to the starting line-up as the Republic of Ireland aim to salvage some pride in their final Group C game against Italy.

Giovanni Trapattoni's men are already eliminated from the European Championship, having lost their opening two games against Croatia and Spain respectively.

Italy must win if they are to have any hope for maintaining their challenge, but Trapattoni is not prepared to roll over for his homeland, naming his strongest possible side.

As expected, Simon Cox makes way for the return of Doyle, who was sacrificed against the Spaniards amid a failed tactical move from Trapattoni.

In a sentimental move, Damien Duff will captain the side at the expense of Robbie Keane to mark the Fulham winger's 100th appearance in a green shirt.

Shay Given keeps his place in goal, despite an indifferent tournament, while John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward and Richard Dunne complete the back four.

As ever, Duff and Aiden McGeady will operate the flanks in midfield, with Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan in the centre.

Up front, Doyle reignites his partnership with Keane, who has this week reiterated his desire to continue with his international career after the Euros.

Meanwhile, a knee problem could force Mario Balotelli to miss out, with Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale waiting in line should the Manchester City striker fail to recover in time.

Boss Cesare Prandelli will be hoping for an improvement from his side, with successive 1-1 draws against Spain and Croatia leaving the Italians third in Group C.

Nothing less than a win will do, but the Azzurri may be forced to pile the pressure on the Republic, as goal difference could yet play its part should Croatia and Spain draw in the group's simultaneous fixture.

Doyle Insists on Molineux Belief

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle understands the fans' frustration after Wolves latest defeat but insists there is still belief in the Molineux camp.

The struggling Midlanders' woes continued after a humiliating 5-0 thumping at Fulham when they were beaten 2-0 at home by fellow relegation candidates Blackburn on Saturday.

That result means Wolves now sit second bottom of the Premier League and a point adrift of safety, while it also leaves interim boss Terry Connor without a win from his first three games in charge following Mick McCarthy's sacking last month.

Some Wolves fans made their frustrations known by demonstrating outside Molineux before and after Saturday's match, appearing to direct their anger at club owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey over their handling of the managerial situation.

But while Doyle sympathises with the supporters, he is confident he and his team-mates can turn things around.

"There is belief in the dressing room and the manager gave a very uplifting speech afterwards," he said.

"He said we either fall out with each other now and never win a game again or we come in on Monday morning and work hard, do everything right, be positive, and go out to win next week.

"We can't just throw our toys out of the pram. We can't afford to do that - it is too important.

"There cannot be any moaning or complaining with 10 or 11 games to go. Of course we're frustrated. When you get beaten 5-0 [at Fulham] and then beaten at home, there are going to be demonstrations, people are not going to be happy.

"But I don't think demonstrations are going to do anything. I don't see what they're going to achieve.

"But people have to vent their anger sometimes. They take it out on us from the stands when we're 2-0 down with a minute to go. They are no different to any other fans - and we don't blame them for that.

"We are on a bad run and we have to give them a reason not to be chanting outside the ground.

"Mick McCarthy leaving brings more attention on everything and creates more negativity around the place, but we have to deal with that."

Experience

Doyle believes the experience of beating the drop for the last two years puts Wolves in a strong position to survive.

"We have been in this position before and that's the message everyone's trying to get across," he said. "We're battle-hardened. Ninety per cent of the players have been here before.

"We need to remember what we did last year and the year before to get ourselves out of it."