Irish squad begin preparations for qualifiers

Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland squad assembles in Dublin this morning to begin preparations for the upcoming double-header of World Cup qualifying games.

After the heroics of the rugby team at the weekend, the pressure is very much on the Boys in Green ahead of the clash with Bulgaria at Croke Park on Saturday and next week's trip to Italy.

Goalkeeper Shay Given and winger Aiden McGeady are carrying slight injury problems, but both are expected to be fit in time for the weekend.

Otherwise, the squad is injury-free.