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Martin O'Neill quiet on Republic of Ireland game plan as they look to nullify Gareth Bale

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Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has admitted Wales forward Gareth Bale will be difficult to contain when the sides meet on Friday

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill refused to be drawn on how he will deal with the threat posed by Gareth Bale in Friday’s World Cup Qualifier against Wales, live on Sky Sports.

Bale is Wales' talisman but O'Neill's side top Group D and can go into the Dublin clash in confident mood, having won three and draw one of their first four games.

And O'Neill admits he is expecting the Real Madrid man to cause his side problems at the Aviva Stadium.

"Of course there are going to be moments in matches when great players extricate themselves from difficult positions and cause you problems - that's why they are great players," he said.

Martin O'Neill has plenty to ponder ahead of Ireland's next two games
Image: O'Neill was relaxed about coping with the threat of Bale

"It's that type of thing that we will try to cut to a minimum if we can. But naturally being a brilliant player, he will cause us problems."

O'Neill has spent the past few days mulling over his playing options, with Robbie Brady ruled out through suspension and Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Harry Arter, Wes Hoolahan and Daryl Murphy through injury.

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However, Everton midfielder James McCarthy still has a chance of playing some part - no doubt to the consternation of club boss Ronald Koeman - after training on Thursday for the second successive day as he battles his way back from a hamstring problem.

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Asked if McCarthy's recent lack of match action would deter him from selecting the player, O'Neill added: "Well, it wouldn't really. If he hasn't played for two and a half weeks and he feels okay, that wouldn't necessarily deter me from doing it."

Given the circumstances, O'Neill thinks Ireland may have to reproduce the kind of heroics they did to secure their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2016 with a do-or-die victory over Italy if they are to emerge with a positive result at the Aviva Stadium.

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"I think we will have to produce a performance like that tomorrow evening. I think the players are ready for it," he said.

"That effort against Italy is not a distant memory and players that were involved against Italy can call upon that experience again and go for it."

Watch Republic of Ireland v Wales on Friday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm.

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