Soccer Analysis: The concerns regarding the fitness of Damien Duff will probably prove to be slightly overstated.

If it's as simple as a bit of bruising to the calf, then with the old hot and cold treatment it should quickly improve the damage sustained.

If he can stand the pain, and let's face it he'll really want to play in this match given his prolonged period of inactivity over the last six months, then I expect him to start. He can be a huge player for Ireland wide on the left. Switzerland full back Bernd Haas is meat and drink to a player like Duff and this should be an avenue of success for Brian Kerr's team.

The Swiss are vulnerable at the back, particularly out wide, an area in which Ireland are particularly strong with Duff and the in-form Andy Reid. It's a huge bonus for Kerr he has outlets on either flank as that'll help Ireland maintain possession as well as posing a serious threat.

Ireland enter this game in a very positive mental frame having produced an intelligent performance against Cyprus and having earned the perfect start in the process. When you look at the French and English results it highlights the fact there are few teams in international football these days that lie down. Both England and France were stung badly.

The expected return of Roy Keane is another significant positive from an Irish perspective. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson wouldn't have agreed to release Keane with a game coming up at the weekend if he did not think his captain has fully recovered from the rib injury.

He'll go straight into the team and rightly so, probably at the expense of Graham Kavanagh, who did well the last day. Roy Keane will operate in front of the back four and along with Kevin Kilbane should provide plenty of protection in the back six pivot in front of Shay Given.

This will allow Reid and Duff to scavenge forward but the beauty about these two players is that there are both also willing to fulfil their defensive remit.

Switzerland underachieved hugely at Euro 2004 and will be seeking to redress that disappointment. They didn't do as well as I thought they might.

Hakan Yakin was largely anonymous in that tournament and as a result so was his team. I don't think Kerr will detail anyone in particular to pick him up, just suggest that the nearest man does so quickly. This Irish team is very adept at closing down players quickly and, denied time and space, Yakin could be shunted to the periphery of the match.

The Swiss will have learned little from their opening 6-0 victory over the Faroe Islands as it was little more strenuous than a training spin. The last thing any team needs before a seriously competitive match is one of those games. You're far better off having to work harder and blowing the cobwebs away. If you were picking opposition to prepare for a game like this then the Faroe Islands would be bottom of the list.

The latter are nothing more than a nuisance in the group and shouldn't extend anyone on the evidence of last weekend's performance. Ireland will travel to Basel with a determination to atone for their last visit there when we didn't do ourselves justice. That is a powerful motivation.

Switzerland have a proud record at home and have proved tough to beat there so tonight's game is far from a soft touch but I honestly believe we are capable of getting the point we are looking for; at least that. The onus is on them to win and Ireland can be lethal on the counter-attack.

Defensively for Kerr's men it'll be about concentration and avoiding any silly errors. You don't want to give the Swiss any encouragement. I'd prefer to see Steve Finnan replace the injured John O'Shea at left back. His experience is probably better suited to the task, rather than opting for Alan Maybury.

I have a good feeling about this game, provided Ireland avoid self-inflicted injuries on the night. This game is about taking a point and moving on. If Ireland can win all their home games and take a few points away then they will qualify with ease. Tonight is an opportunity to cement that fast start to the group and put pressure on their rivals. I expect them to do just that.