Duff and Holland Set for Comeback

By Nick Raynor
September 6 2005

The Republic of Ireland and Brian Kerr are hopeful that key midfielders, Damien Duff and Matt Holland will be fit for the France game.

Duff has a knee strain which has kept him sidelined, and Holland has a rib problem, but both are expected to be back in time to face the 1998 World Cup Winners.

 

Kerr said:

 

"Damien's injury is a bigger concern because it was picked up on Thursday but he should be okay,"

 

Andy Reid says that he and his team-mates are ready for the test they will face against France on Wednesday.

 

Reid said:

 

"I watched parts of France's game [against the Faroe Islands] on Saturday, and not being disrespectful to them, I don't think they are the team that won the World Cup,"

 

"There have been a lot of changes, and the fact Zidane is back does not change anything for me.

 

"France still have a lot of quality players and if even Zidane was not there then there would be another quality player to come in and take his place.

 

"We just have to go about our job and do the best we can. I am sure if we do that then we will be happy."

 

"They won't be looking forward to coming to Lansdowne Road and playing against us,"

 

"They will look at our record and see there are not many teams that get a good result.

 

"We have turned it into a fortress, so they know they are going to be in for a tough game.

 

"Everybody's going to be working their socks off, and on top of that we have a lot of quality players ourselves, and that will frighten them as well.

 

"The crowd have always been very good to us at Lansdowne Road, and they will play an important part because they realise it's such a big game."

 

"It will be the biggest of my career,"

 

 "It's the stuff you dream of as a kid, playing in these big games, and everybody in the squad - including myself - can't wait to get out on the pitch and do the best we can.

 

"To play in these kind of games can only do you good and stand you in good stead in the future."