Euro 2016 Qualifying: Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar preview
The Republic of Ireland know only a win will do as they aim to keep their slim hopes of Euro 2016 qualification alive.
The Boys in Green take on Gibraltar in Faro. Martin O'Neill's side won the reverse fixture 7-0 last October at the Aviva Stadium.
Victory could help them leapfrog Scotland into third place in Group D should Gordon Strachan's side drop points in Georgia.
The boys in green trail the third-placed Scots by two points going into the final four games, but will be heavy favourites to claim victory this week and keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive.
Martin O’Neill will be hoping to see a response from his side who are without a win in their last three competitive fixtures. They drew their last game 1-1 with Scotland, which was preceded by the 1-1 draw with Poland, their first meeting with the Scots was a 1-0 defeat last November.
The European minnows languish pointless at the bottom of group D having lost all six games so far, conceding 34 goals in the process. Despite their standing as the whipping boys in group D, the manager Martin O’Neill is not taking them lightly.
Jeff Wood's Gibraltar have the worst defensive record in qualifying but they could still have an impact on who progresses in their final four outings, with clashes against Poland, Georgia and Scotland to come.
Roy Keane expects Marc Wilson, James McCarthy and Jon Walters to feature in Friday’s game.
McCarthy underwent a scan following a knock last week, Walters' club future was the subject of speculation prior to the transfer deadline.
Keane believes Walters is ready for action despite a trying few days off the pitch: "For a player like Jon, he's experienced, he's not a young kid. I think maybe the move was on the cards over the weekend but it's not panned out.
"But Jon is in a good position. He's a good player. The fact that a few clubs were interested in him probably helps his confidence."
Wilson’s game time has been limited after he suffered an ankle ligament injury in a pre-season game for the Potters against Wrexham and has lost his place in the side because of it.
Keane believes his lack of match action won’t affect his standing with the boys in green, following the retirement of Richard Dunne the defender has become a mainstay in the Irish defence.
The former Ireland skipper has been speaking to Stephen Doyle ahead of tonight’s big game.
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