Step-in striker Mintal aims to fill Vittek void

SLOVAKIA striker Marek Mintal has promised to step into the shoes of captain Robert Vittek for Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.

Vittek was withdrawn from the squad with knee ligament damage but Mintal, whose last competitive match for Slovakia was in the 4-1 defeat to Germany last October, has vowed to dedicate the result to the injured skipper.

Mintal is Slovakia’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign with four goals and though a series of injuries have seen him lose his place at German side FC Nuremberg, he has warned the Irish that he is fully fit and ready to cause problems in Bratislava on Saturday.