Ireland's World Cup qualification hopes received a great boost after a fighting 0-0 draw against Sweden in Stockholm last night.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green' had the better of the first-half exchanges with Shane Long wasting their best chance, blasting over when he had time and space inside the box.
Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly believes that David Forde's life experience will make him more than capable of coping with the pressure of his competitive debut on Friday night.
The 33-year-old has been promoted ahead of Keiren Westwood due to the latter's lack of first-team action at Sunderland, and Giovanni Trapattoni has decided to stick with the Galwegian instead of recalling Shay Given.
Everton boss David Moyes is set to put his faith in Shane Duffy as Everton enter a pivotal spell in the Blues boss' Goodison reign.
The Derry born Ireland international has been told he is right in the mix to challenge favoured pair Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin for a first-team place as the Toffees chase a top four finish and FA Cup glory.
Ireland defender Marc Wilson is hoping his Stoke City return will give him a chance to join Ireland's battle for a World cup place in Brazil in 2014. The 25-year-old County Armagh born defender expects to be available for Stoke's game at Fulham next Saturday after four months out with a broken leg.
Giovanni Trapattoni has named his Ireland squad for the Poland international friendly on 6 February at the Aviva Stadium, their last game ahead of the crucial double-header away to Sweden and home to Austria on 22 and 26 March.
New faces include Anthony Pilkington as well as Derby County trio Conor Sammon, Jeff Hendrick and Richard Keogh.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni had named his squad for the upcoming friendly international against Greece in Dublin later this month.
The Boys In Green take on the Euro 2012 quarter finalists on the 14th Novemeber
Robbie Keane has been left out of the squad, as has striker Shane Long, who is suffering from a hamstring strain.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will continue with his new premiership tour this weekend when he take's in the game between Stoke and Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.
This follows on from his visit to Norwich last week to eye-up Wes Hoolahan & Anthony Pilkington in their impressive defeat of Arsenal at Carrow Road.
The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni will stay on as Ireland manager.
The association released a statement this evening confirming that the Italian would continue in his current role.
The FAI statement read: "While disappointed like everyone with the poor result and performance against Germany and understanding the frustration of some of our supporters, we believe the currnet position in the group means that qualification for Brazil in 2014 remains a realistic and achievable prospect"
"We reaffirm that Giovanni Trapattoni is to remain in charge of the national team.
Robbie Keane, Marc Wilson and Robbie Brady will start for Ireland when they take on the Faroe Islands in their World Cup 2014 qualification game on Tuesday evening in Tórshavn.
Under-pressure manager Giovanni Trapittoni is facing growing pressure from supporters, former players and the media after a dismal defeat to Germany last week and his player selection.
Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli is adamant that Ireland will go into their World Cup qualifier against Germany on Friday looking to secure all three points.
"We will try to win, it's normal for us. If we can win against Germany, it will be important for the team and for the country"
"But a draw?
Ireland under-19 manager Paul Doolin today announced his squad for the upcoming UEFA U19 Championships qualifying tournament.
Ireland will travel to Luxembourg next month where they will meet the hosts, FYR Macedonia and Germany in Group Five.
Thursday October 11
Ireland v Luxembourg
Saturday October 13
FYR Macedonia v Ireland
Tuesday October 16
Ireland v Germany
The top two nations qualify for the Elite Qualifying Round with the finals tournament in Lithuania next summer.
Ireland U17's secured an impressive 4-1 victory over hosts Macedonia in the second game of their UEFA Championships qualifying group in Skopje today.
Tom Mohan's side produced a disciplined and composed performance to move top of Group Ten on goal difference ahead of Sweden, who beat Romania 2-1 in the other game in the group.
Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow night's friendly
international against Oman at Craven Cottage.
Kevin Doyle will captain Ireland for only the second time in his career in what is an experimental
side, with a number of fringe & new players being given the opportunity to impress the Irish
boss.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow's World Cup
qualifier in Kazakhstan
Trap has named a back four of John O'Shea, Darren O'Dea, Sean St Ledger and Stephen Ward will line
up in front of Sunderland keeper Keiren Westwood.
Wigan's James McCarthy starts in a four-man midfield that also contains Aiden McGeady, Simon Cox,
and Glenn Whelan, while Jon Walters gets the nod ahead of Kevin Doyle to partner Robbie Keane up
front.
Ireland Under-21 team boss Noel King has named his squad for the forthcoming UEFA U21
Championship qualifying Group Seven fixtures with Hungary and Italy.
The Irish face Hungary in Kecskemét on Thursday September 6 then meet the Italians in Casarano
four days later.
"We have two games to go in our group and the simply facts are that if we win the two of them we'll
get at least second place and hopefully that will secure a playoff place," said King.
