Republic of Ireland vs Germany preview: Irish hope fighting spirit can close gap at top of Group D

Martin O’Neill's squad is beset by injuries – and the world champions are in town

Martin O'Neill manages to elicit a rare smile from his assistant Roy Keane

Germany at home, then Poland away. The Republic of Ireland must have hoped they would be in a strong place after eight games when the fixtures in Group D were being decided.

Sitting third, four points ahead of Scotland, Martin O’Neill’s team might well be in that position, and the manager has said he would settle for the play-off spot that finishing there would bring.

But there is anxiety in Dublin nonetheless. At a stage when O’Neill would hope to be shoring up third place with a fully fit squad, he is beset by injuries – and the world champions are in town.

It has been confirmed that Everton’s Seamus Coleman will not be fit to face Germany. There was already a doubt about Stoke’s Marc Wilson and, with Glenn Whelan suspended, a trio of defensive players who would have expected to be busy against Mario Götze and co are missing. James McClean is another who is suspended and there is an injury doubt over Wes Hoolahan.

Derby’s Jeff Hendrick is likely to start in Whelan’s place down the left. Hendrick was a second-half substitute when the Irish drew 1-1 with Germany in Gelsenkirchen last October, a reminder of what can be achieved.

Germany have kicked on since then, though, and O’Neill’s realism was evident. “I’d take my chance in the play-offs if we can get into them,” he said. “Who knows what might materialise?

“We have got two very difficult games coming up. We are playing the world champions, players who are playing Champions League football on a regular basis, players who have won a World Cup, players who have got the experience of going away from home and dealing with any given situation, and they are improving.

“And we are playing Poland, who are very, very strong. We are playing Poland away from home, two difficult games,” O’Neill added. “Does that mean that we just give up? Absolutely not. We are going to go and show a bit of fighting spirit and a bit of ability and a bit of self-belief.

“The Germans are very, very good, but does that mean it’s impossible? Absolutely not. We have a challenge on our hands and we have the desire to deal with that challenge.”

O’Neill’s bit of tub-thumping was understandable, but Germany won this fixture 6-1 in Dublin three years ago in a World Cup qualifier. They were 5-0 up in an hour. The Irish have improved – but so have Germany.