Republic assess Kilbane fitness

WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING GROUP EIGHT
GEORGIA V REP OF IRELAND
Venue: Bruchweg Stadium, Mainz Date: Saturday, 6 September Kick-off: 1700 BST Coverage: Updates on the BBC Sport website

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Kevin Kilbane was injured in Wigan's win over Hull City

Kevin Kilbane's fitness ahead of the Republic of Ireland's two opening World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Montenegro will be assessed on Tuesday.

Kilbane was injured in Wigan's win over Hull City on Saturday and club manager Steve Bruce said that the player had sustained a "fractured cheekbone".

However, Kilbane will assemble with the Republic squad in Dublin on Tuesday when his injury will be examined.

The Wigan player underwent an operation on Sunday.

Bolton Wanderers' Joey O'Brien is also a fitness concern after being forced off in his club's game against West Brom on Saturday because of concussion.

The Republic are already without injured winger Damien Duff.

Kilbane operated at left-back in the recent friendly in Norway.

Birmingham City's Stephen Kelly will be one of the contenders to replace Kilbane in the Republic's defence but the full-back was not included in his club's squad for the draw against Norwich.

Republic manager Giovanni Trapattoni takes charge for his first competitive match against Georgia in Mainz, Germany, on 6 September and the Irish then face Montenegro away four days later.

The Georgia match will be played at a neutral location due to the recent problems in the country.

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Republic squad: Given, Kiely, Bruce, Delaney, Dunne, Finnan, Kelly, Kilbane, O'Brien, O'Shea, McShane, Hunt, McGeady, Miller, A Reid, S Reid, Whelan, Doyle, Keane, Keogh, Long, Murphy.