In the words of Father Dick Byrne of Rugged Island, "we're going to win, Cyril."

The countdown is on for the Republic Of Ireland's World Cup showdown with Denmark, the first leg of which takes place this Saturday in Copenhagen. 

The news the Danes are sweating over the fitness of four members of their squad will be welcomed by Ireland manager Martin O'Neill ahead of the crucial meetings with the Scandinavians.

Denmark manager Age Hareide is having to deal with injuries to key defender Simon Kjaer as well as fellow centre-back Andreas Bjelland, full-back Henrik Dalsgaard and striker Nicloai Jorgensen. 

Kjaer suffered an injury playing for Sevilla against Barcelona over the weekend while Jorgensen fractured his wrist playing for Feyenoord in the Dutch league. Dalsgaard and Bjelland are both long-term absentees.

O'Neill is not without his problems either with striker Seanie Maguire ruled out for three months and defenders John O'Shea and Richard Keogh reporting for international duty with injuries picked up with their clubs. 

The first leg of the winner-takes-all affair kicks off at 7.45pm on Saturday with the return in Dublin at the same time next Tuesday. Both matches will be screened live on RTÉ 2. 

(header pic: Football Association Of Ireland)

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