Tough test for Irish

European Under-21 Championship: Away from this week's drama in north Dublin, Don Givens' Republic of Ireland under-21 side were preparing calmly for a tough Uefa Championship qualifier against Greece in Athens this evening (6pm Irish time).

The under-21s normally play their counterparts from whoever is facing the seniors the following evening but UEFA has recently changed the landscape at under-21 level.

Ireland have yet to qualify for the finals of this competition but Uefa's decision to restructure the tournament presents the Irish youngsters with a great chance to put that right this year. If Ireland get a positive result against the Greeks and against Belgium in Terryland Park on September 1st that should be enough to secure progress to a two-legged play-off for a place in the finals.

While Givens can see the possibilities, his focus is steadfast on the first challenge. He said: "We have to get something here. We can't top the group if we lose. A draw tonight and beating Belgium at home would put us favourites to go through and that's what we're aiming for.

"The discipline and concentration levels will have to be at the highest we've got but it'll be difficult because of the heat. We'll be giving it the best we can. Greece are an unknown quantity for us because initially we were down to play Turkey this week and the Greeks were playing Belgium. UEFA then told us that the fixtures had been set out differently and that was too late for us to watch them. I've made as many calls as I can to find out as much as I can but we're going in a bit blind. However, if we perform at the level we can then it'll take a good team to beat us."

One loss to the Irish has been Coventry's Jay Tabb, who flew home last night after a recurrence of a stomach muscle problem, while Scunthorpe's Andy Keogh is doubtful with a hamstring strain.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Probable): Doyle (Birmingham); Foley (Luton), Painter (Birmingham), McShane (West Bromwich), Bruce (Ipswich), Flood (Cardiff), Deery (Derry City), Keegan (Drogheda Utd), Whelan (Sheffield Wed), Timlin (Fulham), Ward (Bohemians).