The Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has predicted a successful World Cup for strike duo Robbie Keane and Damien Duff.
McCarthy says that the pair, who expect to start in this Saturday's first game in Group E against Cameroon, can terrorise defences if they carry on in the form he has seen them display.
He said: "I don't know anybody who would be happy to play against Robbie Keane and Damien Duff at the moment.
"They will cause problems for every team and they could be the stars of the World Cup if they don't get injured. Together they are a real threat to any defence.
"This is the first time for both of them in the World Cup finals. They both watched Irish teams of the past play in World Cup finals and were both desperate to come and play in them. They are two hungry young players who have got unbelievable ability, fabulous ability.
"Duffer has got pace, dribbling ability, and tricks; Robbie complements him because he is quick in a different kind of way, he has quick feet, and is a great finisher.
"If you watch them in training you see they have a great understanding. If they get the protection that good players crave then they could be sensational in this World Cup."
McCarthy says that the midfield players, not just the strikers, are likely to be encouraged to try shooting with the new footballs being used at this year's tournament.
The Charlton Athletic midfielder Mark Kinsella, who is expected to take Roy Keane's place said: "We are encouraged to shoot from 25-30 yards out and we have been practising that in training. We have got some lads who can strike a good ball and so you never know."
The danger posed by possible long-range attempts on goal is seen from another perspective by Kinsella's Charlton team-mate Dean Kiely, who will be the back-up goalkeeper to Shay Given.
"We worked with them in Saipan and they come at you a bit quicker," said Kiely.
"They are a bit more explosive. The whole property of the ball is geared up for movement and pace and I am pleased that Ian is in our side and not against us because I think he'll be able to do unbelievable things with the ball.
"The goalkeeper's perspective doesn't get taken into account a great deal. People want to see harder shots, faster shots and the ball moving a lot more. It makes for great viewing.
"We've had just over a week now and we are used to them. It doesn't take long to get your eye in really. We have worked strike after strike and hopefully we are up to speed now.
"Strikes from the edge of the box will come at you slightly quicker and for people putting a bit of movement on the ball it will be exaggerated a little. It is all tweaks and half-turns of screws and we are trying to combat that."
As Ireland prepare, McCarthy is making sure that any players who need time to regain full fitness are not being rushed back to action. Jason McAteer (knee), Kenny Cunningham (hamstring), Steve Finnan (ankle), Kevin Kilbane (ankle) and Lee Carsley (thigh) trained separately from the rest of the squad but McCarthy remains optimistic about all of them.
He said: "Jason's spirits are up and he is talking about jogging soon. Kenny will be fine, he'll train tomorrow, as I hope the rest of them will. Lee had a scan which was all clear.
"I am erring on the side of caution and giving them more time to make sure they are right before they come back into the competitive training."
The intense heat is ensuring that the players are being protected against overexposure to the intense heat of the region.
"With all the players less is sometimes better than more because a good number of players have lost more than two per cent of their body weight," explained the Republic boss.
"That means their functions are reduced by 20% in terms of physical functions and concentration.
"Some of them have not put that back on yet and with all the warm-ups and the sweating it means they are losing more and more weight. We might just have to err on the side of producing it in the games rather than doing it here in training.
"It is a concern, players losing body weight. The only thing you can do to combat it is drink, not only water but Lucozade and drinks with sodium and carbohydrates.
"They also have to eat to replenish their body and get the fuel back in. Some players have not yet got back to the weight they were when they came and it is important that they do.
"The players almost have to force themselves to drink while they are playing. It was noticeable after 35 minutes of our friendly on Saturday, passes started to go astray and the concentration went a couple of times.
"But the doctor had a word with them at half-time and in the second half the players coped with it and they had a drink when the ball went out of play, which made them look fitter and stronger."
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