Steve Staunton's depleted squad took another hit today when Wolves striker Stephen Elliott was ruled out of the Germany and Cyprus qualifiers because of a hamstring injury.

The Dubliner sustained the injury yesterday and although not said to be serious it will still keep him sidelined for a fortnight.

"We had a call from the Irish party to say that Stephen has damaged his hamstring," said Wolves physio Barry Homes.  "He's already had a scan to confirm the diagnosis and we'll assess the situation when he arrives back with us."

Andy Reid (ankle), John O'Shea (dead leg) and Darren Potter (foot) remain concerns but all three did some work at this morning's training session in Malahide.

Owing to Stephen Ireland's controversial withdrawal, Staunton is particularly keen to have playmaker Reid available for one, if not both, of the games.

"With Andy and John we're going to give them as much time as we can," said Staunton.  "Darren Potter is coming on well. They're all concerns, but we'll be giving them every possible chance and we'll just have to wait and see."

Sunderland's Liam Miller joined the squad yesterday as cover for Ireland but Staunton said he was unlikely to call up any more players despite Elliott's departure.

"There are people on standby but I think it's too late now," he added.  "We have to get on.  There are 20 or so bodies still there. I can't legislate for injuries."

The manager will also have Sunderland defender Paul McShane and Reading winger Stephen Hunt returning for the Cyprus game once they serve their respective suspensions against Germany.

Qualification appears dead in the water but Staunton is adamant his players are fully motivated ahead of Saturday's encounter against a team whose manager believes Ireland are "better than England".

Staunton said:  "If you can't get motivated to play one of the powerhouses of world football then you've got a problem."

Germany boss Joachim Loew has seen his squad truly ravaged by injuries but when a German journalist asked Staunton for his reaction to that fact the manager was nothing but blunt.

"I don't care about your injuries, we've enough of our own," he snapped.

Loew's side require just a single point from Saturday's game to secure qualification for next summer's finals but is predicting a stern test from the hosts.

"Ireland will be playing with great motivation and passion, it's their last opportunity to retain a chance of qualifying,'' he said.

"They have Premier League players and they have quality. I think they are better than England or Wales right now. We'll have to play at our limit.''

Loew has also given Jens Lehman a confidence boost ahead of the game.

The veteran goalkeeper has lost his place in the Arsenal team following elbow surgery but Loew insists the 37-year-old will be between the posts in Dublin.

"I have told him that he remains our number one," said the manager. "But if his situation doesn't change, we'll need to talk. We need a goalkeeper with match practice."

Former striker Oliver Bierhoff, who is now the German general manager, went one step further and urged Lehman to quit the London club in a bid to revive his career.