Packie Bonner is due in Amsterdam tomorrow as part of Mick McCarthy's plans to build a dossier on the Republic of Ireland's World Cup opponents in the autumn.

Bonner will watch Holland's crucial tie against France. Last week Ian Evans carried out a similar mission at Holland's emphatic win over Denmark.

McCarthy, here as a member of the BBC television team covering the championships, watched Portugal's 1-0 over Romania and was suitably impressed.

"It confirmed what good players they have and people like Rui Costa, Luis Figo, Joao Pinto and Nuno Gomes are still capable of punishing the smallest mistake," he said.

"On the other hand, I consider that they have weaknesses at the back and that it will always be possible to score against them."

Liverpool defender Vegard Heggem faces a struggle to be fit for the start of next season after the recurrence of a hamstring injury during Norway's defeat by Yugoslavia.