KEN CUNNINGHAM'S participation in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Romania remains in doubt.

The Wimbledon full back, who was taken to hospital after damaging his back in the game against Chelsea on Tuesday, plans to be present when the squad assembles in Dublin this evening. However, a decision on whether he travels to Bucharest with the Irish squad is now expected on Sunday.

He acknowledged yesterday, however, that depending on his progress or lack of it, over the next 48 hours, he may have to follow Curtis Fleming, Alan Moore and Keith O'Neill out of the big game and return to London for treatment.

"If I'm able to train on Saturday and Sunday, I will, of course, go to Bucharest," he said. "Otherwise, I will be catching a flight to London and reporting for treatment.

"My back went into spasm; when I got the knock and while the problem later eased, it has by no means cleared. It all depends now on how I get on in training in the next few days."

As yet, Mick McCarthy is not prepared to call in replacements in the wake of the earlier withdrawals and it is now increasingly unlikely that he will be sending for Niall Quinn.

Quinn said yesterday that the Ireland manager had not been in contact with him or any member of Sunderland. He added that he was now resigned to the fact that he will not be joining the squad in Bucharest.

Meanwhile, Paul McGrath learned yesterday that his position with Derby County may be clarified next week. McGrath, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has yet to be offered a new one and there is now increasing doubt that one will materialise.

Jim Smith, the Derby manager, said that he had already reached a decision about the Irishman but wouldn't announce it until he sees him next week.

"I can't see him most of the time because he only comes in once a week," he said. "But I will be talking with him at the first opportunity and, on Wednesday, there is a board meeting where these kind of things are sorted out."

Smith, who said that he would have played McGrath against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday if his Achilles tendon problem had cleared, hinted, however, that he may delay the announcement until after Derby have played Coventry City and Arsenal to complete their Premiership programme.