Shay Given makes a welcome return to the Republic of Ireland fold and today he quickly warned his team-mates to forget about qualifying for Euro 2008 if they suffer another defeat.

The Ireland vice-captain is poised for his international return after surgery to repair a perforated bowel kept him out of the game for over two months.

His club manager at Newcastle, Glenn Roeder, gave the all-clear for the 30-year-old goalkeeper to make his comeback in Wednesday's Lansdowne Road clash with San Marino.

And although Given has yet to figure for the Magpies since his operation he returned to training with the first-team squad last week and is raring to go for what he concedes is "a must-win game" for Ireland.

The fact is manager Steve Staunton was able to report a clean bill of health ahead of Wednesday's game. Although Lee Carsley and Jonathan Douglas sat out today's training session with minor niggles, both players will return tomorrow.

Those who were on club duty yesterday - Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle and Steve Finnan - merely went through a warm-down routine.

After being without 14 players for the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic a month ago, Staunton was delighted to confirm "we've no problems for a change".

The Republic have taken just one point from their opening three Group D matches, leaving no margin for error against the minnows of San Marino, both on Wednesday and in next February's return. A point vice-captain Given is keen to reiterate.

"We've made qualification difficult for ourselves but we've still a decent chance," said Given, who missed last month's damaging debacle in Cyprus and the 1-1 home draw with the Czech Republic.

"With the next two games home and away to San Marino, followed by two games at Croke Park, we've definitely a chance, in particular if we can keep everyone fit.

"But it's fair to say if we don't beat San Marino at home then we don't deserve to qualify. As players we're expecting ourselves to beat San Marino and that's what we need to do.

"There's no getting away from it, Wednesday night is a must-win game for us, and it would be nice to get some goals as well.

"Robbie (Keane) and Kevin (Doyle) both scored at the weekend so their confidence will be high. It would be good if they could grab a few on Wednesday."

Goals are expected, especially as San Marino have already lost 13-0 and 7-0 to Germany and the Czechs respectively in their opening two matches.

After such an enterprising performance against the Czech Republic, Ireland have the chance to build on that and further make amends for the harrowing 5-2 loss to the Cypriots.

"It was a freak result, although we were obviously disappointing," added Given, who at least avoided the venomous criticism that inevitably followed. "On the night we made too many errors and we were punished, but as a fellow player when you hear of the abuse that was given, it was hard to take.

"I was in England at the time but I heard what some of the papers were saying and the players took a lot criticism. I'm sure it hurt them. It would hurt any human being because of the level they received.

"But the lads were out there playing for their country, wanting to do well. It's just that it was a real bad day at the office. Nobody goes out of their way to play badly or make mistakes, so some of the stuff was way over the top.

"But it's behind them now, they're raring to go again. They want to put on a good show, especially as it's the last international at Lansdowne Road before it gets demolished.

"It would be nice to give it a send off and go out with a bit of a bang."

Given is also eager to prove himself after a frustrating time on the sidelines in recent weeks.

"Two months is a long time," reflected Given. "I've not had too many injuries in my career, and touch wood I don't have too many more because now I'm desperate to get out on the pitch again.

"The fitness is good. I trained with the lads at Newcastle last week, and the previous week with the goalkeeping coach.

"There's still a little bit of soreness. The doctor at Newcastle has said that will probably be there for a while, but it's nothing that will stop me playing. I'm now ready to play. I'm back in the swing of things, and I'm looking forward to pulling the jersey back on."