Tuesday 4 October 2016 14:06, UK
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is taking nothing for granted for the World Cup Qualifier double-header against Georgia and Moldova amid a deepening injury crisis.
Ireland launched their Group D campaign with a 2-2 draw in Serbia, but striker Daryl Murphy, whose strike secured a point in Belgrade, heads a list of players who will miss or remain doubts for Thursday night's visit of the Georgians to Dublin and the trip to Chisinau three days later.
O'Neill said: "A reasonably decent friend of mine who knows nothing about football spoke to me a few days ago and he mentioned, 'If you can put six points on the board...'. I nearly throttled him.
"It's not like that. These games are difficult for us."
The level of difficulty has risen markedly in tandem with a casualty list which looks likely to rob O'Neill of several players.
Newcastle's Murphy is out with a calf problem while goalkeeper Keiren Westwood has a thigh injury, as has Anthony Pilkington, who is expected to miss out along with fellow midfielder Stephen Quinn (knee damage).
In addition, winger Aiden McGeady is struggling with a hamstring strain and striker Kevin Doyle is nursing a sore ankle.
Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has had a scan (groin) and O'Neill is awaiting an assessment, but as a result of the catalogue of both confirmed and impending withdrawals, he has added 21-year-old Manchester City keeper Ian Lawlor and Aberdeen forward Adam Rooney, 28, to his squad.
O'Neill said: "It would help to have fit players. It's not great, the quick turnaround - we fly out the next day to Moldova. But you have to curse your luck and get on with it."
One man who could be available after missing the game in Serbia as he underwent groin surgery is Everton midfielder James McCarthy, although the Republic boss will not take any risks, with club manager Ronald Koeman having already voiced his fears over rushing the player back.
O'Neill said: "He's been recovering from the operation and has done a lot of work. He's pretty optimistic, but we'll see how that goes over the next two days."
