Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane sat out this morning's training session ahead of Saturday's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland but remains on course to line out for Brian Kerr's side in Basel.
The Tottenham player felt soreness behind his knee after yesterday's practice at Malahide United's training ground but is, nevertheless, expected to resume his preparations when the squad train in Basel tomorrow evening.
"Robbie took a knock yesterday and was feeling slightly stiff this morning," Ireland assistant Chris Hughton explained this afternoon. "He wanted to train, he always does, but we held him back purely as a precaution and he'll hopefully return tomorrow."
Hughton, who is also Keane's coach at Spurs, believes the 23-year-old's return to form and fitness - following five weeks out with an ankle injury - couldn't have been timed better considering Ireland's task this weekend.
"He's come back refreshed and seems to be in even better form. Robbie is as important to Tottenham as he is to Ireland and he's at a stage in his career where there is a wonderful opportunity to stay at the club for a while."
"He's a better team player than many people give him credit for," Hughton revealed, "he knows how to create something out of nothing."
Keane's clubmate Gary Doherty joined up with the rest of Kerr's squad this morning after spending time last week in a London hospital undergoing precautionary checks on a blood infection.
The Tottenham utility man spent three nights in a hospital near White Hart Lane but Hughton described the illness as "one that sounded worse than it was."
Doherty took no part in this morning's run-out but will take to the field when the squad reconvene in Malahide this afternoon.
Manager Brian Kerr was another training ground absentee as he was said to be "feeling under the weather."
Kerr, who has a heavy cold, was ready to take the session but, acting on the advice of his management team, opted instead to rest and study more video tapes of the Swiss side in action.
Those who did train used a new ball today, one which is hoped will be similar to that used in Saturday's game. Shay Given praised the management team's attention to detail in bringing the new footballs in and explained that they were "a little light but nothing new for keepers."
Given, along with the rest of his teammates, is gunning for revenge following Ireland's 2-1 home defeat to the Swiss last October.
While pinpointing that the Swiss deserved victory on the night as "we didn't play well", and that the weekend's renewal would be a "tough, tough game," the Dongeal man remains confident of a favourable result on Saturday.
"Switzerland are a very good side but I think that we'll play to our potential. It's a big game and we are all professional enough to know what's at stake, but in saying that we still have to approach the game with caution," he said.
Captain Kenny Cunningham will miss the game through suspension and the resulting shake-up in defence is unfortunate but while Given said he regretted the Birmingham player's absence he today called on whoever Kerr brings in as replacement to "give it their all."
"I want to go to Portugal next summer, we all do, and I don't mean on holidays. Switzerland are a good team and we watched more videos of them last night but if we go out and play well there is no reason we can't beat them."
Hughton echoed those sentiments. "They are vulnerable at times," he noted, "and are well capable of being beaten. It's all about on the day and on our day we are capable of beating anybody."
The Republic of Ireland squad depart Dublin tomorrow morning and continue their preparations with a training session in Basel tomorrow evening.