Thursday 8 October 2015 10:29, UK
Martin O'Neill insists his Republic of Ireland side have the players to hurt Germany and clinch qualification to the European Championship finals in the next four days.
They host Germany at the Aviva Stadium, live on Sky Sports 1HD on Thursday, before a trip to Poland in their final two qualifiers in Group D.
O'Neill has confirmed Seamus Coleman will not be fit to play after injury, and will also miss Glenn Whelan and James McClean through suspension, but Wes Hoolahan and Cyrus Christie have both recovered from knocks to be in contention.
O'Neill said: "Training has been very good - short and sharp - and the players are in good form.
"Wes trained and he was fine. If he was limping then he unbelievably left that behind and he was fine. He'll be ready.
"Cyrus is obviously keen to play too and he's fine. The physios have done a little bit of work with him, and he feels a bit freer.
"Seamus had the day off because he has worked exceptionally hard over the last couple of days, and done very well indeed. He won't be playing in the game but if he is not ready for this one then he should be ready for Sunday.
"It's a big game, there's no getting away from it, and we have to be as positive as we can. We will get a chance to play in the game and it's up to us to manoeuvre the ball well enough to get some strikes at goal.
"The Germans are very good players. They're not world champions for nothing and they were always going to top this group because they're the best side in it.
"But I've got a number of players in the side that can hurt Germany."
Republic of Ireland have only ever qualified twice for the finals and were knocked out in the group stage in 2012.
Robbie Keane, who became a father to a second son on Monday, was part of that squad under previous manager Giovanni Trapattoni and the LA Galaxy striker intends to retire from international football next summer.
O'Neill said: "Robbie's new child doesn't affect my thinking in selecting him. Robbie is full of it and ready to go. He always comes here in good spirits.
"It would be terrific if we could make it to France one way or another. I'd like to qualify for myself, selfishly, obviously, and for the staff.
"But also for some of the players, especially Robbie. It would be a great international send off for him."
Republic of Ireland v Germany is live on Sky Sports 1HD from 7.30pm on Thursday October 8
