Colgan responds to Irish keeper crisis

The Hibernian goalkeeper Nick Colgan will join the Republic of Ireland squad for Saturday's World Cup Group Two qualifier against Portugal. He replaces Newcastle's Shay Given and is one of three called up following a rash of injuries.

The Hibernian goalkeeper Nick Colgan will join the Republic of Ireland squad for Saturday's World Cup Group Two qualifier against Portugal. He replaces Newcastle's Shay Given and is one of three called up following a rash of injuries.

Middlesborough's Curtis Fleming and Stoke City's Graham Kavanagh will replace the Blackburn midfielder Lee Carsley and Leeds' defender Gary Kelly. The same squad will also face Estonia next Wednesday.

Ireland kicked off their campaign last month with a 2-2 draw against the Dutch. The squad assembled in Dublin yesterday and are due to fly out to Portugal today.

Wales' Wimbledon striker John Hartson is determined to recapture the form which made him a £7m Premiership striker and is looking forward to a new partnership with Ryan Giggs when his side faces Norway in Cardiff on Saturday in their Group Five qualifier.

"I feel nearly as fit as I did at West Ham when I got over 20 goals before Christmas in 1997," he said. "I have set myself a target of 25 this season, and I have 19 to go. I believe I can do it."

Damien Johnson is due to join the Northern Ireland squad today for Saturday's Group Three game against Denmark. The Blackburn winger stayed behind at Ewood Park for treatment on a groin injury when the party assembled yesterday.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM v Portugal (Lisbon, Saturday): Kelly (Blackburn), Carr (Tottenham), Breen (Coventry), Dunne (Everton), Harte (Leeds); McAteer (Blackburn), Roy Keane (Man Utd), Kinsella (Charlton), Kilbane (Sunderland), Quinn (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Internazionale).