A number of players sat out yesterday's Republic of Ireland training session in Dublin but manager Brian Kerr's only pressing concern ahead of Saturday's clash with France surrounds Manchester City defender Richard Dunne.
Kerr welcomed his players to the team base in Portmarnock and oversaw the first of two scheduled training sessions before the squad's departure for Paris on Thursday morning.
Dunne had a morning scan at the Cappagh Hospital on a knock he received in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southampton and results showed calf muscle damage.
The Irish medical team will continue to monitor his progress over the coming days but had Dunne to withdraw, it would be a cruel blow as he has only returned to the international stage after a lengthy spell out of the side.
Sheffield United's Alan Quinn and Graham Barrett of Coventry City also had scans on knocks sustained over the weekend but both produced clean results.
Four players involved in Premiership action on Sunday - John O'Shea, Roy Keane, Damien Duff and Shay Given - sat out the session as did Sunderland defender Gary Breen but Kerr expects all five to feature this morning.
It was confirmed yesterday evening that Kerr's men will play friendly internationals at home to both Croatia and Euro 2004 finalists Portugal.
Croatia will travel to Dublin on Tuesday, November 16th and Brian Kerr's men will then host Portugal at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday, February 9th, 2005.
FAIreland Chief Executive Officer, Fran Rooney said: "The friendlies. . .will provide a good challenge for the team in our preparations for the key World Cup qualifiers next year.
"In addition the games are also part of our ongoing plans to attract quality opposition to Dublin to entertain the fans as well as generating revenues to re-invest in the game at all levels."
Ireland have played Croatia four times at senior level - winning on one occasion, drawing twice and losing once.
Portugal have provided the opposition on 11 occasions. Ireland won three of the encounters, they drew two and lost six.
Croatia's last visit to Dublin was a friendly in August 2001 which ended in a 2-2 draw. Portugal and Ireland met in the qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup with both games, in Lisbon and Dublin, finishing 1-1.