Monday 14 October 2013 20:59, UK
Noel King believes there is 'huge pressure' on the Republic of Ireland to beat Kazakhstan to boost their prospects of a favourable draw in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
King is likely to make changes to the side which played in Cologne, but has indicated he will keep faith with the 4-2-3-1 formation he adopted at the Rhein Energie Stadion. Skipper Robbie Keane, who missed out in Germany with an ankle injury, should be available following his return to training, while defenders Richard Dunne and John O'Shea will come into the reckoning after suspension. But whichever 11 men line up before the first whistle, King insists his players will have to be ready to adapt to whatever comes their way from the Kazakhs. He said: "They could have a stormer, we could be defending - if we have to defend, the boys will want to defend and defend well and then in between, we will be getting ready to attack, obviously. "If we can attack, we hope to attack positively. You must just play the game as it is, read the game and be ready to do whatever is the best option you have. "If that means we attack more, we will attack more, if we can; if that means we have to defend more, we will not be embarrassed to defend. "Defending is a key point. People don't like it - I don't understand why - but it's a skill and done together as a group, it's a very strong skill."
