Irish rely on quiet man Duff to roar against Russia

With Robbie Keane on the sidelines because of injury and his Manchester United namesake Roy no longer in the international picture, the Republic of Ireland are in desperate need of a talisman for their all-important Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia tomorrow.

Up step Damien Duff, once just a promising winger but now the star of Brian Kerr's team. Much is expected of Chelsea's new £17m signing, as the Republic look to avenge the 4-2 defeat they suffered in Moscow in the group's opening fixture 12 months ago.

Impressing on the left used to be Duff's aim; leading from the front is now the prerequisite. Indeed, the combination of his big money move and Keane's absence means that this quiet man has been thrust into the limelight. "He'll cope with that," was the verdict of the Republic's assistant manager Chris Hughton. "Damien is playing wonderfully well at the moment and you would fancy him to have a real impact on any game, whether he plays on the left or up front."

Does Hughton feel Duff's move to Stamford Bridge will benefit the national team? "The transfer to Chelsea has unquestionably given him more belief in his own ability," he says, "but how it goes from here will be up to Damien's strength of character, because he won't be guaranteed a starting place." There is no such risk with Ireland, where Duff is one of the first names on the team sheet. "Damien's at the top of his game," Hughton says. "He's one of the best in the business."

Such praise might go to certain players' heads, but not Duff. The 24-year-old may have an enhanced status within the game, but his team-mates insist he has not changed one bit. "The only difference," jokes Stephen McPhail, who is back in the squad following his loan move from Leeds to Nottingham Forest, "is that he's richer."