Ireland lied about his reason for missing the Czech game

Republic of Ireland v Germany
Croke Park
Saturday, 13 October
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage on BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad to play Germany and Cyprus in Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Ireland has said he "would not do his country or himself justice" after his controversial withdrawal from the last qualifier against the Czech Republic.

Newcastle full-back Stephen Carr has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Alex Bruce has been called up but Andy O'Brien has pulled out with a kidney complaint and John O'Shea is doubtful.

Ipswich player Bruce was called up on Tuesday, as was O'Brien who soon withdrew from the squad due to his illness.

O'Shea should be fit despite a dead leg complaint.

Ireland pulled out of the Republic's last qualifier against the Czech Republic in September citing the death of a grandmother but later admitted he had made it up as he wanted to be with his partner who had suffered a miscarriage.

Republic boss Steve Staunton kept faith with Ireland but the Manchester City player said on Tuesday that he was unsure whether he could provide a "positive contribution" to the side.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on Stephen Ireland's withdrawal

"I have thought long and hard about whether I would do my country and myself justice if I joined up with the squad. Unfortunately, I don't believe I would on this occasion," said Ireland.

"The support I have received from Mr Staunton and the FAI has been excellent and everybody at Manchester City has also been superb."

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson described Ireland's withdrawal from the squad as "disappointing".

"Steve Staunton and I have been working together to help Stephen through a period which he is clearly finding very difficult," said Eriksson.

I hope that Stephen will soon feel stable enough to resume his international career Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson

"We together have left no stone unturned in our efforts to convince him he has so much to offer his country and that international football will greatly benefit his long-term career.

"I hope that Stephen will soon feel stable enough to resume his international career."

Manchester United utility man O'Shea suffered a dead leg during Saturday's win over Wigan.

O'Shea will be monitored by the Republic medical team before a decision is made on his participation against the Germans in the Group D clash at Croke Park on Saturday.

The Republic then entertain Cyprus, again in Dublin, four days later.

Carr was named as part of manager Steve Staunton's initial 25-man squad.

The former Spurs player missed Newcastle's win over Everton on Sunday and injury problems have kept him out for the majority of the Republic's qualifying campaign.

Bruce qualifies for the Republic through his grandmother.

Republic of Ireland squad:

Colgan (Barnsley), Doyle (Birmingham), Given (Newcastle), Dunne (Manchester City), Finnan (Liverpool), Kelly (Birmingham), McShane (Sunderland), O'Brien (Bolton), O'Shea (Manchester United), Carsley (Everton), Douglas (Leeds), Hunt (Reading), Bruce (Ipswich), Kilbane (Wigan), McGeady (Celtic), O'Brien (Hibernian), Potter (Wolves), Reid (Charlton), Doyle (Reading), Elliott (Wolves), Keane (Tottenham), Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland)