West Ham striker Lee Boylan should be fit to make his debut in the UEFA under-18 championships as the Republic of Ireland try to salvage their pride and hopes of progressing further when they meet Switzerland in Fjolnisvollur, Reykjavik today (kick-off 3 p.m.).
Boylan had been confined to bed for two days with a combination of a stomach bug and general fatigue but ate properly for the first time on Thursday night with Irish medical officer, Dr Ronan O'Callaghan, stating that he has almost recovered.
Midfielder Barry Quinn should also be okay to start today after a heavy knock to his left hip against France in Thursday's defeat was not as serious as first thought.
After Thursday's loss Ireland's chances of winning the group are remote and manager Brian Kerr is now looking at the runners-up place. A favourable result elsewhere would surely be needed if Ireland are to top the group and make the final.
By beating Israel 3-0 in their opening game Switzerland have added pressure on Ireland and they must beat the Swiss well today to get back in with a chance.
"We were very disappointed with our performance against France," said Kerr. "We came here with hopes of maybe winning the competition but it was plain to see against the French that we were very ring rusty and lacked match practice.
"But having said that, my players know they can play much better and I know that we are a much better team than we showed. It mustn't be forgotten also that France are the holders of this competition and are a very classy team with a lot of pace in attack which caused us many problems."
Kerr will reshuffle his side with Boylan back in contention for a starting place. That may mean Millwall's Stephen Roche, taken off at half-time against France, having to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.
Kerr's tactical plan of playing a 4-3-3 formation against the French never really worked as wide players, Damien Duff on the right, and Mark McKeever, were forced to play too deep by two very good French full-backs while lone striker Barry Conlon was, for the most part, left isolated up front and never saw enough of the ball to trouble the French.
The Irish defence in particular struggled badly, gifting the French their three goals, and will need to sharpen up and concentrate fully against the Swiss.
With Boylan back up front with Conlon, Ireland's attacking options should be far greater, but, it must be said, creative players like Duff and Stephen McPhail will need to get on the ball more and make things happen if Ireland are to get back into this competition.
Probable team: Whelan (unattached); Heary (Huddersfield Town), Dunne (Everton), Whittle (QPR), Dillon (Rotherham United); Duff (Blackburn Rovers), Quinn (Coventry City), McPhail (Leeds United); Boylan (West Ham United), Conlon (unattached), McKeever (Sheffield Wednesday).
