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18:56 GMT, Thursday, 4 September 2008 19:56 UK

Hunt and Whelan in Republic team

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
Stephen Hunt

Stephen Hunt will replace the injured Damien Duff in the Republic of Ireland team for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Georgia.

Republic manager Giovanni Trapattoni has chosen the Reading winger while Stoke's Glenn Whelan is again preferred to Andy Reid in central midfield.

Kevin Kilbane will start despite fracturing his cheekbone last weekend.

Kilbane wore a protective mask in training on Thursday and emerged from the session unscathed.

The Wigan player, who sustained the injury while playing against Hull last Saturday, had surgery on Sunday but he insisted on making himself available for the opening World Cup qualifier.

Hunt will be making just his second competitive start for his country.

His inclusion for the injured Duff in the only change from last month's 1-1 friendly draw against Norway in Oslo.

Trapattoni appears to have no fears over Hunt's ability to perform in the crucial test.

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"He is a young player with 100% enthusiasm," said the Republic manager.

"He helps all his colleagues on the pitch. He understands that he can track back or play in front."

Hunt is likely to line up on the right, but interchange with Aiden McGeady as Duff and the Celtic player did in last month's friendly draw in Norway.

Trapattoni confirmed his team prior to the squad's departure to Germany on Thursday.

The game at the weekend is being played at a neutral venue because of the political situation in Georgia.

Around 5,000 Irish fans are expected to be in the stadium - which holds 20,000, but only 10,000 seated - with the Georgians having around half as many tickets.

The Georgia game is followed next Wednesday by another tricky trip to Montenegro.


Republic of Ireland: Given, Finnan, O'Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, S Reid, Whelan, Hunt, Keane, Doyle.




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Related to this story:

Pick your Rep of Ireland XI (05 Feb 07 |  Internationals )
Squad strength pleases Trapattoni (03 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Mainz to host Republic qualifier (28 Aug 08 |  Internationals )
Norway 1-1 Republic of Ireland (20 Aug 08 |  Internationals )
Keane happy with Republic display (20 Aug 08 |  Internationals )

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