Andrews ready for Nicosia battle

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Cyprus v Republic of Ireland
Venue: Nicosia Date: Saturday, 5 September Kick-off: 1930 BST Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website

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Keith Andrews is expected to start in central midfield in Nicosia

Keith Andrews is determined to do his bit on Saturday to prevent a repeat of one of the biggest embarrassments in Republic of Ireland football history.

Andrews watched the 5-2 defeat by Cyprus on television in 2006 but he is expected to start in Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Nicosia.

"It was one of the biggest disasters in Irish football history," acknowledged the Blackburn midfielder.

"It's something we are all aware of - even the players who weren't there."

A draw in Nicosia would keep the Republic on course for a World Cup play-off but Giovanni Trapattoni's players still believe they can chase down leaders and world champions Italy and secure automatic qualification.

To remain in with a chance of topping the group, the Irish will have to secure three points on Saturday.

Italy have a tough game on Saturday, away to Georgia Keith Andrews

"It's a massive game in its own right because of the state of the group, regardless of what happened in Cyprus the last time Ireland were there," added Andrews.

"We want to progress to the World Cup and a good result on Saturday will go a long way towards making that happen.

"Italy have a tough game on Saturday, away to Georgia, and then they have another tricky one at home to Bulgaria, so that's not an easy run-in.

"So if we can win on Saturday, we can at least cement that play-off place."

Andrews, 28, was playing his football at MK Dons the night in October 2006 that Steve Staunton's men were dealt a major blow to their Euro 2008 hopes.

Staunton's side needed an injury-time goal to earn a draw in the return match at Croke Park although Trapattoni's troops clinched a 1-0 win at the Dublin venue during the current qualification campaign.

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Trapattoni and his players flew out of Dublin on Thursday afternoon having carried out their preparations at Malahide since meeting up on Tuesday.

Cyprus will be without influential suspended duo Michael Konstantinou and Konstantinos Makridis but Andrews is still expecting another stern examination in Nicosia.

"I thought Cyprus were a good side (at Croke Park), well organised defensively and they will be even stronger now that they are on their home turf."

With Andy Reid out of favour with Trapattoni and Steven Reid fighting his way back from injury, Andrews has had a key role to play in central midfield in recent months.

Darron Gibson started in last month's 3-0 home friendly defeat by Australia but struggled during the contest and Andrews is expected to return for Saturday's game.

"I have started the last four or five competitive games and I won't make any bones about it, I am hoping to start this game as well," continued Andrews.

"I was a little bit disappointed not to start in the last game against Australia, but hopefully I can get in."