|
| Steve Staunton and Niall Quinn are put through their paces at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran (© Inpho) |
Steve Staunton and Gary Breen are reported to have passed fitness tests and should be ready to face Iran in tomorrow’s crucial World Cup play-off second leg.
The participation of the two centre backs had been in doubt with the duo carrying injuries, but both underwent fitness tests and trained with the rest of the squad in the Azadi Stadium in Tehran this evening.
Breen went over on an ankle during yesterday’s training session, aggravating an old injury, but is believed to have recovered sufficiently to take his place in the heart of the Ireland defence alongside Staunton.
Staunton, in line to captain the Republic of Ireland in the absence of Roy Keane, is also said to have shaken off the back problem sustained in Saturday’s first leg.
Niall Quinn also joined the squad in the stadium but it is unclear whether the striker has been deemed fit enough to play. Mick McCarthy has delayed announcing his starting line-up until tomorrow afternoon.