Brian Kerr will prey on English uncertainty as he plots to send them home early and keep Ireland at these championships until the last day.

Despite the emphatic nature of the 3-0 defeat to Germany in Moss on Wednesday, coupled to the below-par performance against Belgium on Monday - albeit a 2-1 win - Kerr knows his side have a good game in them. He also knows his charges will need to show it against a talented England team which has flattered to deceive in their two games here in Norway.

England simply must win the game or they are going home, possibly having thrown away their ticket to the FIFA World Youths finals in the United Arab Emirates along with it. Ireland, courtesy of that win over Belgium in Drammen, could still top the group if they win and Germany fail to beat the Belgians. A draw should be enough to guarantee Ireland second place in the group - assuming Belgium haven't won - and a play-off for third place along with their passage to the UAE next spring. Worse case scenario for Ireland is defeat to England with Belgium beating Germany. That would mean Ireland finish bottom, missing out oneverything.

Noticeably upset at their defeat to the Germans, the Irish squad have licked their wounds and will be well up for facing England, according to Kerr.

"We haven't played to the potential we showed against Croatia and then Holland in qualifying, so I know we can play better," said Kerr who, having analysed a video of the Germany match, feels Ireland didn't play as badly as it appeared on the night.

"The players were very upset after the game, but I've spoken to them individually and they are fine now. I told them that it was our seventh match with this group. We've won five, drawn one and lost one, so we are not a bad team. I'm positive that we have it in our own hands to be here to the last day. I'm confident that the players will play well against England.

"We haven't played to our potential yet. There is a good game in us and hopefully we can have it (tonight)."

Irish attitude and motivation won't be lacking in Honefoss, attributes that appear deficient in what, on paper, looks a very talented England squad. For some unknown reason, however, morale is suspect in the English camp.

"We're playing England and as always we'll be up for it," said Kerr. "There will be that bit of club rivalry between the two sets of players.

"Some of the England staff have said to me they are very disappointed with their performances. They don't know whether their players' pride has been hurt enough, whether they've cared enough. I have no doubt that my players will want to prove, both individually and collectively, that they are as good as England. We beat them in Israel two years ago and took some joy out of that."

Despite minor knocks to Jonathan Daly, Sean Thornton and Stephen Brennan, Kerr is confident he will have a fully fit squad to pick from. Changes will be made again, however, with Stephen Kelly the only likely switch from the team that started the first game against Belgium.

IRELAND (probable): Murphy (Aston Villa); Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur), McCarthy (Manchester City), Paisley (Manchester City), Capper (Sunderland); Brennan (Newcastle United), Thornton (Sunderland), Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Foley (Liverpool); Deane (Charlton Athletic), Daly (Stockport County).