Mick McCarthy has never conceded that Romania, the runaway leaders in group eight, are out of reach of the other countries.

But yesterday he came close to admitting as much when asked about tomorrow's game in Bucharest where the Romanians take on Macedonia.

"To be honest, I hope Romania win the game," he said. "You can look at it different ways, but I think a home victory in Bucharest would make it easier for us to qualify."

That seems to suggest that a place in the play-offs is now the optimum of his ambition. However, he reckons his squad is still in line for a place in the finals in France next summer.