European Cup Qualifier
13.10.2007 at 19:45 - Croke Park
Republic of Ireland are aiming to keep their slim Euro 2008 hopes alive and deny Germany their place at the finals when they meet each other at Croke Park on Saturday.
Germany can become the first side to book their place in next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland by avoiding defeat in Dublin.
Joachim Low's side are eight points clear of the third-placed Irish and they are unbeaten in their Group D campaign.
Steve Staunton's troops are almost playing for pride with qualification out of their hands, as they are six points behind second-placed Czech Republic with just three games remaining.
The home side are without suspended duo Paul McShane and Stephen Hunt, but they are available for next week's clash with Cyprus.
Stephen Carr, Stephen Elliott and Andy O'Brien have all been forced to pull out of the squad because of injury, while Stephen Ireland is unavailable after withdrawing from the squad for personal reasons.
Staunton is sweating over the fitness of trio John O'Shea, Andy Reid and Darren Potter, as all three struggle to shake off knocks.
Robbie Keane will captain Ireland with Reading's Kevin Doyle set to partner the Tottenham man in attack.
Germany have injury problems to contend with as a number of key midfielders are missing.
Injuries
Michael Ballack, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Tim Borowski, Roberto Hilbert and Bernd Schneider have all been ruled out through injury.
Torsten Frings is set to captain Germany in the absence of Ballack and Schneider.
Miroslav Klose is also absent through injury, with Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez battling it out to partner Kevin Kuranyi up front.
Jens Lehmann will start in goal for Germany despite his lack of regular action for Arsenal in recent weeks.
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