A year ago, manager Steve Staunton's side were disgraced 5-2 by Cyprus, a nation at that time ranked 60 places below the Irish.

"Embarrassed", "hurt", and "gutted" were just some of the adjectives employed by Staunton to describe his feelings in the immediate aftermath of such a dire debacle at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

It was a result that could easily have led to Staunton being axed.

But, days later, his team salvaged a semblance of pride with a 1-1 draw at home to the Czech Republic, and the 38-year-old avoided a stay of execution.

Keane led the line that night against the Cypriots, and with no great surprise a sense of retribution is likely to dominate the atmosphere at Dublin'sCroke Park on Wednesday.

"We're looking forward to the game with Cyprus because we remember what they did to us a year ago," stated Keane.

"Towards the end of the game, they were showboating a little bit, so we're looking to getting our revenge on them."

That word revenge can often sound cliched and over-dramatic in footballing terms, but in this instance it is appropriate given the agonies suffered by every Irishman that night.

The Republic also require victory to virtually guarantee third place in Group D, and with it a more favourable seeding and draw ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualification programme.

They can forget next summer's Euro 2008 finals as they require a mathematical miracle following last night's goalless draw against Germany, who clinched their place with the point gained.

Instead, Ireland have Slovakia and Cyprus breathing down their neck, with the worst case scenario the prospect they could even finish a miserable sixth in the group.

That would be unthinkable for centre-back Richard Dunne, who sits out the game on Wednesday through suspension after collecting a second booking of the current campaign against the Germans.

"For us, last night's result is a sign of progress," said the Manchester City captain.

"We dominated the game in the second half, and were unfortunate not to win it. It was still a pleasing result because nobody gave us a chance before the game.

"We showed the Germans, and the Irish public, that hopefully we're a side on the up for the World Cup qualifiers.

"I feel we gave the crowd value for money, and now we are looking for further progress and three points against Cyprus.

"It's an important game because if they win then they go ahead of us in the group, so we have to make sure we remain ahead of them bearing in mind the seedings for the World Cup."

Providing there is no further disaster against the Cypriots, it is a given Staunton will be in charge come next September.

Liverpool right-back Steve Finnan voiced his support for his manager ahead of the game, with Tottenham striker Keane lending weight to the debate as he added: "Are we behind him? Of course we are."

It would have been useful for Staunton to have offered his more considered post-match thoughts today, but remarkably the 38-year-old opted to skip training, with no valid reason offered by a Football Association of Ireland spokesman.

The session was instead taken by coach Kevin MacDonald as he put the players who did not figure against the Germans through their paces.

Striker Shane Long, though, has returned to Reading with a groin strain, while John O'Shea continues to remain a doubt with a leg injury, although he today worked out in the gym.

Darren Potter stepped up his fitness with a light training session as he looks to overcome a groin problem, and although Kevin Doyle and Kevin Kilbane are both nursing head injuries, they will figure against Cyprus.

With Dunne out, Staunton at least has Paul McShane available again after serving his own one-match ban, while Liam Miller is likely to replace another suspended figure in Lee Carsley.