Hughton upbeat as D-days near

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND assistant-manager Chris Hughton remains confident their World Cup campaign can be salvaged — despite growing pressure ahead of a critical double-header.

The Irish have to win their remaining two Group 4 qualifying matches against Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday and Switzerland at Lansdowne Road next Wednesday to stand a chance of at least claiming a play-off place.

Despite a fraught time ahead, with manager Brian Kerr's squad due to meet up in Dublin this afternoon before flying out to Cyprus tomorrow, Hughton is unfazed by a task he had been expecting.