Elliott called into Ireland squad as Given ruled out

“He’s worked with five of our squad, and named them and wished them all the best”, he said.

The Republic of Ireland’s Shane Long tells his teammates to use their Germany win as a springboard for beating Poland and reaching Euro 2016.

“It’s an unexpected and entirely unnecessary defeat”, said Loew.

“If we win that, we’re at the Euros, so that’s our main goal”.

A draw in Warsaw coupled with a shock win for Georgia in Leipzig would see the 2014 World Cup winners sensationally fail to automatically qualify for the European Championship finals in France next year, although that scenario is admittedly unlikely.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is also likely to miss out after being sidelined in Dublin due to a training ground groin strain.

Germany top the group on 19 points, followed by Poland and Ireland both on 18. “We need to be strong all over the park but hopefully we can get the three points”.

“It’s nice to be able to go Poland knowing you have a chance to qualify”.

But Poland too have issues, with unsafe frontman Arkadiusz Milik sidelined, although with Robert Lewandowski now in the form of his life O’Neill is under few illusions as to how hard his side’s task will be.

“I know what is at stake”, he said, “but I will do everything I can to meet the fans’ expectations”.

He explained: “When I scored it obviously meant a lot because my mum passed away in 2008”.

“I’ll have to watch it back, I don’t really remember what happened”.

Northern Ireland have qualified for the European Championship in France next year following a 3-1 victory against Greece.

Steven Davis captained Norther Ireland with two goals, while Josh Magennis added one.

Davis then netted his second of the contest before Christos Aravidis scored a late consolation for the Greeks. “We’ll let the children organise it and we’ll just go along with the flow!” laughs Pat.

O’Neill’s players will attempt to finish off the job in style by winning Group F with a victory over Finland on Sunday night but the 46-year-old is already planning ahead by making a call to Hodgson.

Romania, who travel to the Faroe Islands in their final game, will assure themselves of automatic qualification providing they match Hungary’s result in Greece at the weekend.