Uefa Under-21 Qualifier/Montenegro v Rep of Ireland Podgorica, 2.30:The Republic of Ireland Under-21 side face Montenegro today knowing nothing less than three points will save their Uefa Championships ambitions.

Irish youths boss Seán McCaffrey is in temporary charge of the under-21s as Don Givens is tied up in his own caretaker duties with the seniors in Cardiff this week.

When Givens returns from Cardiff he will take charge of the side for their next qualifier against Bulgaria in Athlone on Tuesday.

Although Givens picked the initial squad, McCaffrey has been given a free hand to pick the starting XI and he is adamant that only a win is good enough.

Defeats at home to Portugal and England in their opening games have seriously diminished Ireland's chances, but McCaffrey believes things can be put right.

"I'd like us to get a good performance and win the match," said McCaffrey. "There's only two games gone. There's plenty of time for this squad to qualify, but they need to get wins in the two matches this week."

Montenegro have lost home and away to England but beat Bulgaria in Sofia.

Their key player is Red Star Belgrade striker Stefan Jovetic, who has been heavily linked to Manchester City recently.

"Discipline and composure will be key. I expect them to be very good. From what I've seen they look very good going forward but they look suspect at the back," said McCaffrey.