The challenge for the Ireland squad over the next month will be to maintain their fitness and sharpness at a time when some of the non-Premiership players would be expecting to head off on holiday for a well earned rest after the rigours of tough season.
And with the Premiership finishing on May 24th and Ireland not due to play the crucial away game against Bulgaria until June 6th, the onus will be on the players to maintain a strong focus on the game in Sofia.
Victory would put Ireland in a strong position for the remaining qualifying matches with their sights set on overhauling Italy and claiming that one automatic qualifying place in Group 8 for the finals in South Africa next Summer.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will select his squad for the match against Bulgaria next week and will be looking forward to bringing his squad together for the friendly against Nigeria in London on the 29th of May. The Friendly may well give some fringe players the chance to impress Trapattoni prior to the remaining World Cup qualifiers and could see players like Sean St Ledger and young SPL player of the year James McCarthy receive a call up for the Nigeria clash.
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