Republic of Ireland's Pot 2 hopes for World Cup draw hanging by a thread

Wales’s Gareth Bale consoles Ireland’s Matt Doherty after the Nations League tie at Cardiff City Stadium. Picture: Tommy Dickson

Winless Ireland are running out of time to avoid entering next month’s World Cup draw as third seeds.

Indeed, Ireland will need a favour from Northern Ireland against Romania on Wednesday to remove the risk of a potentially nightmare group.