Carr out of qualifiers

Manchester City's Ireland had been called back into the squad following the strange circumstances over his withdrawal from the last round of international matches.

However, Ireland has announced that he is withdrawing from this squad too, and released a statement giving his reasons.

He told the club's official website: "I have thought long and hard about whether I would do my country and myself justice if I joined up with the squad. Unfortunately, I don't believe I would on this occasion.

"The support I have received from Mr Staunton and the FAI has been excellent and everybody at Manchester City has also been superb. However, I do not believe I can make a positive contribution to our efforts to qualify."

Meanwhile full back Carr was included in Steve Staunton's original 25-man squad but, despite having missed Newcastle's 3-2 win over Everton on Sunday, he has not recovered in time to be considered for the Croke Park double header.

The 31-year-old has missed most of the Irish qualifying campaign so far, including their last two outings against Slovakia and the Czech Republic last month.

A draw and a defeat in those respective games dented Ireland's hopes of qualifying from Group D and they currently lie in third place, six points behind the Czechs and eight behind leaders Germany.

Better news for Staunton was that John O'Shea will join his team-mates at their Portmarnock training camp on Monday after having recovered from the dead leg that forced him off the pitch during Manchester United's weekend win over Wigan.

O'Shea stands a chance of playing against Germany on Saturday, but will have to be closely monitored by the Irish medical staff during the week.

Bolton's Andy O'Brien has been called up to provide defensive cover.