Duff expects to be fit for France showdown

“I’M feeling fine and I’ll be fit to play against France.”

That was the upbeat message communicated to the FAI yesterday by Damien Duff, and it will be music to the ears of Giovanni Trapattoni as the Republic of Ireland manager prepares for the World Cup play-off games in just over a week’s time.

Fears for the winger’s availability had grown earlier this week when his club Fulham indicated that he would not figure in their game against Wigan at the weekend.