UEFA U-19 Championship: Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey has been hit by a spate of injuries to key players ahead of this afternoon's meeting with Switzerland in the second round of games in the European championship qualification mini-tournament.
The Irish take on the Swiss at Richmond Park (kick-off 5.0) with both sides badly needing a win if they are to keep alive any real hope of progressing to the summer's European finals in Liechtenstein.
McCaffrey looks certain to be without Glenn Whelan and Stephen Bradley, the central midfield partnership that started Monday's 1-0 defeat by England, left back Killian Brennan while there are serious doubts about the fitness of midfielder Willo Flood.
"Whelan, Bradley (both ankle problems) and Brennan (knee) look to be definitely out," said McCaffrey, "and we'll wait and see about Flood but it's not looking great at the moment."
Neil McCafferty and Richie Ryan, who came on against the English are now likely to start in midfield while Tim Clancy of Millwall will replace Brennan.
If Flood fails to recover from the dead leg then either Danny Byrne or Mark Yeates will take his place.
"We need a favour now but even before that what we need is to score some goals and win the game," said McCaffrey.
In the day's other match Slovenia play England at Dalymount Park at 2.30.
