Paul McShane has missed his club's last three matches

Paul McShane remains a major fitness doubt for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Georgia at Croke Park on Wednesday.

McShane trained on Tuesday but assistant boss Marco Tardelli said that the defender's hamstring injury makes his prospects of starting "so-so".

Birmingham's Stephen Kelly, who is currently on loan at Stoke, is McShane's most likely replacement.

Preston's Eddie Nolan is out of the squad because of an Achilles injury.

Uncapped Nolan was only drafted into the squad on Sunday following Steve Finnan's withdrawal.

Sunderland defender McShane has been out of action since picking up his injury in the win over Fulham on 27 January.

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Tardelli has indicated that a final decision will be taken on his fitness on Tuesday.

Kelly made his debut for Stoke at Sunderland on Saturday after completing a loan move from Birmingham.

Reading striker Kevin Doyle, who was briefly knocked unconscious in a collision with Preston keeper Andy Lonergan on Saturday, looks certain to be fit.

The 25-year-old was named Ireland's Player of the Year at the FAI's International Awards ceremony on Sunday.

Doyle lined up alongside skipper Robbie Keane in a game at the end of training on Tuesday in a side which featured Kelly at right-back and Blackburn's Keith Andrews alongside Glenn Whelan in central midfield.

The Republic head into Wednesday night's game knowing a second victory over Georgia - they beat them 2-1 at the neutral venue of Mainz in September - would take them level on points with Group Eight leaders Italy.

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