O'Shea and McShane boost Republic

John O'Shea trained with the Republic squad on Thursday

Slovakia v Republic of Ireland
Bratislava
Saturday, 8 September
Kick-off: 1930 BST
Coverage on BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website.

John O'Shea and Paul McShane look likely to be fit for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia in Bratislava on Saturday.

Both players trained on Thursday after being fitness doubts earlier this week.

O'Shea picked up a knock to knee in training on Wednesday while McShane has been bothered by a shoulder injury.

Steve Finnan has been ruled out by a knee injury although he may come back into contention for Wednesday's game in the Czech Republic.

Wolves midfielder Darren Potter is also out because of a groin injury.

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Finnan is first-choice right-back for Rafael Benitez but has been deployed at left-back on several occasions by Republic manager Steve Staunton.

The Liverpool man's absence further reduces Steve Staunton's full-back options as Stephen Carr has already been ruled out because of injury.

On the plus side, goalkeeper Shay Given's return to fitness is a major boost for manager Steve Staunton.

Goalkeeper Wayne Henderson and winger Alan O'Brien have already withdrawn from the Republic squad for the games against Slovakia and the Czech Republic (12 September).

Henderson has a back injury which kept him out of Preston's defeat by Coventry while O'Brien injured his ankle in Hibernian's victory over Inverness.

Behind runaway leaders Germany, the runner-up spot in the group is a battle between the Czechs, the Republic and the Slovakians.

With all three teams having five matches to play, the Czechs are a point clear of Staunton's team, who are a further four ahead of Slovakia.