Swiss report no injury worries

Switzerland centre back Philippe Senderos is expected to recover from an eye injury sustained while playing in the 1-1 draw against France in Berne last Saturday night.

The Arsenal defender took no part in the squad's first session in Dublin last night, but Swiss manager Kobi Kuhn dispelled rumours that the player would be unavailable for tomorrow night's final Group Four match at Lansdowne Road.

"It's not serious and certainly nothing that will stop him playing. He will be 100 per cent fit," said Kuhn, whose confidence must be growing by the minute as events in the Irish camp continue to take a turn for the worst.

The 20-year-old is a mainstay in the Swiss rearguard and his performances for Arsenal kept England international Sol Campbell out of the Arsenal team for last season's FA Cup final.

Despite the continued absence of Ireland's tormentor in chief, Hakin Yakin, from the Swiss camp, Kuhn was able to confirm a full bill of health in the 17-man squad that arrived yesterday.

They trained last night for just over an hour in heavy rain at Eircom League side UCD's home pitch Belfield Park, which is in close proximity to the Herbert Park Hotel where they are staying.

The session never reached anything near full pace with players in a light-hearted mood, playing football tennis amongst themselves for most of the hour.

It was certainly in contrast to the atmosphere out at the Irish base in Malahide in recent weeks as Swiss players and their media representatives mixed casually afterwards.

The Swiss may be in an equally high pressure environment as Ireland but they are holding a press conference this afternoon at their hotel with every player and Kuhn expected to be available for interview.