Doherty likely to get the nod

GARY DOHERTY'S success in heading a winning goal four minutes from the end of Ireland's European Championship tie against Georgia in Tbilisi in March is likely to be rewarded with a starting place for tonight's return at Lansdowne Road.

Kerr was still unsure whether Damien Duff will be fit to play and, as usual, refused to reveal his team selection. But it is obvious that the shape of the Irish team will depend hugely on Duff's state of health.

The diminutive striker trained in the gym yesterday but Kerr, who has updated Blackburn Rovers on the situation, insisted he would not start the game unless he was fully fit.