IRELAND: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Ireland and Germany prepare for Euro 2008 game in Dublin

Ireland face a formidable test against Group D leaders Germany in their Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday with both teams hit by injuries. Germany can qualify with a draw but Ireland, who are third eight points off the pace and six behind Czech Republic with three games left, have little chance of reaching the finals. Germany coach Joachim Loew will be without usual captain Michael Ballack, striker Miroslav Klose and midfielder Bernd Schneider but his team are still confident of winning. The Irish are similarly depleted as they face the Germans, followed by Cyprus on Wednesday, at Dublin's Croke Park in the last two home games of their stuttering campaign. Ireland manager Stephen Staunton has tried to fill the gaps in his lineup caused by injuries but midfielder Stephen Ireland also pulled out of the squad this week for personal reasons. The latest injury victim is Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Stephen Elliot who was ruled out on Thursday. On the plus side, Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has been passed fit after missing last month's matches away to Slovakia and Czech Republic due to a knee injury. Midfielder Liam Miller has been included in the squad due to doubts over Andy Reid's fitness caused by an ankle problem. Although Germany need just a point from their remaining four qualifiers to book a ticket to Austria and Switzerland, they are bullish about getting all three on offer in Ireland. "We're travelling there to win," said midfielder Torsten Frings, who will be captain after a 10-week injury break. Coach Loew added: "Even though Frings is not yet back on top form it's nevertheless important that he's back with us again. He's a valuable leader..." Germany also face the Czechs on Wednesday in Munich. Probable teams: Germany: Jens Lehmann; Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, Marcell Jansen; Torsten Frings, Simon Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Piotr Trochowski; Kevin Kuranyi, Lukas Podolski Ireland: Shay Given; Richard Dunne, Steve Finnan, Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea; Lee Carsley, Liam Miller, Kevin Kilbane, Aiden McGeady; Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane. Referee Martin Hansson, Sweden

ITN Source | October 15, 2007

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