Stephen Elliott is the fourth player to withdraw from the panel

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

Stephen Elliott is the latest player to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Germany and Cyprus at Croke Park.

The Wolves striker pulled a hamstring in training and will return to the Championship club.

Stephen Carr, Stephen Ireland and Andy O'Brien had already pulled out of the Group D games.

Andy Reid (ankle), John O'Shea (dead leg) and Darren Potter (groin) are injury doubts for boss Steve Staunton.

"It's nothing too serious (Elliott's injury) , but he will be out for a week or two," said Staunton.

"With Andy and John we will give them as much time as we can, while Darren is coming on well.

"At the moment, they're all a concern, but we are giving them every possible chance, and only time will tell.

"They've all done their own little bit of training, a little bit more than Wednesday, so we will have to wait and see.

"There's nothing more we can do at this moment in time."

Ipswich defender Alex Bruce was drafted into the squad after Bolton's O'Brien pulled out with a kidney complaint.

Sunderland midfielder Liam Miller has been brought in as cover for Reid.

Charlton playmaker Reid has fluid around an ankle, but a scan on Tuesday showed no damage to the joint.

Manchester City midfielder Ireland pulled out on Tuesday, saying he "would not do his country or himself justice" after his controversial withdrawal from the last qualifier against the Czech Republic.

Ireland withdrew citing the death of a grandmother, but he 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 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."

The Republic take on the Germans on Saturday and then entertain Cyprus, again at Croke Park, four days later.

Republic of Ireland squad:

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