Saturday 7 October 2017 23:54, UK
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill believes they will miss Seamus Coleman just as much as Wales will Gareth Bale as the two sides prepare to meet each other in the hunt for World Cup qualification.
Ireland skipper Coleman has been out of contention since suffering a double leg fracture in a challenge by Wales defender Neil Taylor when the sides met in a goalless draw at the Aviva Stadium Dublin in March.
Coleman's team-mates have given themselves a chance of securing one of the top two spots in Group D when the sides go head-to-head at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday - live on Sky Sports - boosted by their 1-0 win in Georgia.
Wales are just a point better off than Ireland, who won 2-0 against Moldova and the same distance behind European Qualifiers Group D leaders Serbia, who play second-bottom Georgia in Belgrade on the same night.
Victory for either side in Cardiff would secure at least second place in the group, with the opportunity to nab top spot if Serbia - who were beaten 3-2 in Austria on Friday night - slip up against Georgia.
When asked how much of an impact being without Bale through injury could have, O'Neill said: "Wales would naturally miss a player of that calibre, but we've got a world-class player missing ourselves in Seamus Coleman.
"He's been missing and in my mind, he's as big a loss to us as Gareth Bale is to Wales.
"But Gareth Bale is a world-class player and of course, he's a major threat.
"Him not playing I think helps, but Wales have been able to win matches without him, so I think their mindset is still pretty strong, but so is ours."
Watch Wales v Republic of Ireland on Monday night. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football at 7pm.
