There will be no complacency against Montenegro on Wednesday, according to Republic of Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli, despite a World Cup play-off place having already been secured courtesy of Saturday’s 2-2 draw in the penultimate qualifier against Italy at Croke Park.

Giovannni Trapattoni’s players are determined to maintain their unbeaten record in the 10th and final game of the campaign as they look to keep confidence at a maximum ahead of Monday’s play-off draw.

“It’s very important for the players. We don’t want to lose because it is important to arrive at the end of the group stage without a defeat.

“That’s important for us. The English team lost and other important teams have lost, and it’s important for the Irish team to arrive at the end undefeated.”

Ireland will not be among the four seeded teams ahead of the draw next week, and therefore will find themselves pitched into battle with one of the quartet of strongest sides among the eight second-placed sides.

That list seems likely to comprise France, Portugal, Russia and Greece and Tardelli admits the latter would be the preferred opponents.

Asked for his preferred opponents today, the Italian World Cup winner said: “All the teams are very good.

“But I would prefer Greece, maybe - and I would prefer not to meet France, because France have many good players, as do Portugal.”

Trapattoni and Tardelli put the players through their paces in Malahide once again today as they shook off the disappointment of Italy’s late equaliser, which dashed their hopes of a late charge for automatic qualification.

Had they held out, victory in Wednesday night’s game would have been enough to send them to South Africa had the Italians slipped up at home to Cyprus, admittedly an unlikely scenario.

Midfielder Glenn Whelan is suspended for the Montenegro game after picking up his second yellow card against Italy, while Trapattoni must also consider whether to risk Shay Given, Keith Andrews and Aiden McGeady – who are all on one booking each.

“Giovanni is thinking about that,” admitted Tardelli today.

Fulham winger Damien Duff was able to train with his team-mates once again today after recovering from the calf injury which kept him out of the Italy game, and is in contention to return against Montenegro.

Given, of course, will win his 100th senior cap, as will Kevin Kilbane if selected, and while Trapattoni has indicated he does not believe there is a great risk of the 33-year-old keeper picking up a second caution, he may not finish the game if he starts it.

Had Alberto Gilardino not netted his late equaliser on Saturday, both men could have reached the landmark on a massive party night at Croke Park.

However, their achievement is one which has impressed even the much-decorated Tardelli.

He said: “I am very envious because I played only 85 matches for my team. They must be very proud to play 100 matches for their country.”

Given has been a mainstay for his country since making his debut against Russia in March 1996, and Tardelli rates only one keeper any higher than him in world football.

He said: “I have said many times that Shay is the second best goalkeeper in the world, that’s my opinion. [Italy’s Gianluigi] Buffon is first and after him, Shay Given.”