Fulham's
Steve Finnan is on stand-by to be plunged into the Republic of Ireland's
make or break World Cup qualifier against Holland.
The Premiership promotion-winner is manager Mick McCarthy's only realistic
option should Ian Harte's gashed ankle fail to heal sufficiently in time
for Saturday's Group Two crunch at Lansdowne Road.
Free-kick master Harte has not kicked a ball in anger since damaging the
ankle in a clash with West Ham's Paolo di Canio during the goalless draw
at Upton Park last Saturday.
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Steve Finnan
Fulham |
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McCarthy will give him as long as possible
for the stitches to knit but Harte has revealed the cut is in exactly the
spot where he normally strikes the ball and the manager.
McCarthy's first-choice defence has already been hit by injuries.
"We remain optimistic but you've got to say Hartey is still a doubt,"
admitted McCarthy. "We are going to give him as long as possible even
if it takes until Saturday morning."
But if the sharp-shooting defender is ruled out he will be replaced on the
left by Leeds club-mate Gary Kelly - also Harte's uncle by marriage to his
sister.
That would mean Finnan taking the Irish right-back role - usually contested
by Kelly and injured Tottenham star Steve Carr - even though his eight previous
caps, five as a substitute, have all been won as a right midfielder.
At Fulham, though, Finnan has made the right-back position his own.
He said: "Although I know that if I do get in for Ireland it will because
of somebody else's misfortunes with injury, but I'm ready. Of course, I
am."
Even a draw will practically guarantee unbeaten Ireland second in Group
Two and a place in the play-offs for a major finals for the third time running.
They will start tomorrow at the top of the table, four points ahead of third-placed
Holland.
Portugal, who have an even easier run-in, remain heavy favourites to clinch
the only automatic qualifying place in the group - unless Ireland win tomorrow
and score a hatful of goals in their final tie at home to Cyprus next month.
"How bad will that feel if we finish the group unbeaten and still don't
qualify for Japan and South Korea?" asked McCarthy. "But there
is now way we'll play for a draw against Holland. Why change our shape and
our approach now?
"But it is no good beating the Dutch or, at worst, drawing with them
only to get knocked out in the play-offs. "We've been there before
and it is something I'd like to change because it would be the pinnacle
of my career as a coach to reach the finals of a World Cup."
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Source PA Sport by Bill Pierce