Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton described the situation that severely disrupted preparations ahead of his side's vital European Championship opener against Germany as "shocking".

With the Group D qualifier in Stuttgart on Saturday looming, Kevin Kilbane, Graham Kavanagh, Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas returned to England to sign for new clubs.

All four were forced to miss today's training session ahead of the squad departing from Dublin in order to undergo medicals, and then hopefully put pen to paper on contracts.

Staunton confirmed Everton midfielder Kilbane was on the move to Wigan, with Graham Kavanagh and Liam Miller set to join Roy Keane at Sunderland, while Douglas would be going from Blackburn to Leeds.

With the closure of the transfer window at midnight, their rapid departure was a necessity, leaving Staunton unhappy and with one final day to finalise matters ahead of the clash at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium.

All four are expected to be available for training tomorrow, but that did not stop Staunton criticising a calendar where crucial fixtures across Europe swiftly follow a day when clubs are forced into last-minute bargain-hunting.

"What's happened is one of those things, with the laws of the game saying today is the last day for the transfer deadline," remarked Staunton. "The lads' futures are involved, so there's nothing you can do, but it's shocking to think you have this date two days before the start of an important campaign."

In attempting to find a positive from the situation, Staunton is at least hoping the players concerned will be revitalised by the moves and give them added impetus against Germany.

"It's great for the lads they're going on to pastures new," added Staunton. "They'll be a lot happier and there will be a spark from them when we see them tomorrow. They'll certainly be paying for their meal on Saturday night now!"

Fortunately for Staunton, he is free of the injury problems which blighted preparations prior to the 4-0 drubbing from Holland just over two weeks ago.

Even with the scenario surrounding Kilbane, Kavanagh, Miller and Douglas, Staunton will have a full squad available to him against Germany.

The Germans would appear to represent formidable opposition after clinching what was seen as a heroic third place at the World Cup finals on home soil last month. To aid Ireland's cause, though, new manager Joachim Loew's squad - in particular the defence - has been ravaged by injury.

Staunton knows how his German counterpart feels as Ireland faced a similar scenario against the Dutch, with several influential names forced to pull out.

On this occasion, though, he concedes the squad is "in good shape" and aware they have "to take the bull by the horns" if they are to get a result.

"We know what they are going to be like - very strong and powerful - just as they have with every other team they have faced over the past few months, and we have to withstand that," said Staunton. "It's up to us to counteract that, impose ourselves on the game and be brave because they're not invincible by any means.

"We've discussed things with the lads and shown them what Germany are all about, although they already know anyway. We know what we have to do, and the lads will show that Saturday night. We've enough talent to get at them.

"We have to try and win the game because if we don't do that then the Germans will pen us in for 90 minutes. So we have to be positive and put them on the backfoot as well.

"We're not daft, we know it will be difficult, but the lads are looking forward to the challenge."