Earnshaw could partner Freddy Eastwood up front

Wales say that striker Rob Earnshaw will be fit to face the Republic of Ireland, despite missing training on Wednesday with a bout of flu.

Jason Koumas has joined the squad and Neal Eardley is expected to start, but Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy are out.

Shay Given has joined up with his Republic team-mates, having returned to training with Newcastle this week after overcoming a troublesome groin injury.

Midfielder Jonathan Douglas has withdrawn with a hamstring complaint.

The Leeds United midfielder sustained the injury in a League Two match against Bury this week.

Reading's Stephen Hunt and Paul McShane of Sunderland both sat out training on Wednesday as they were suffering the effects of knocks received while playing for their clubs at the weekend.

Manager Don Givens believes both players will be available for selection.

The Republic's Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly and Andy O'Brien also miss Saturday's Millennium Stadium game.

The three injured men pulled out of the squad on Tuesday to leave caretaker boss Givens with defensive worries.

Celtic centre-back Darren O'Dea and Alex Bruce of Ipswich Town have been called up as replacements.

Republic centre-back Dunne sustained an injured calf during Manchester City's scoreless draw against Portsmouth on Sunday while Kelly has a knee injury and O'Brien requires a nose operation.

Givens had looked to call up Ian Harte and Kevin Foley but they have hip and ankle injuries respectively.

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Given has not played since October 27 but has trained with the Magpies this week and Givens is optimistic that the goalkeeper will be fit to play.

Joey O'Brien and Steven Reid withdrew from the Republic squad shortly after it was announced last week which led to a call-up for Wolves midfielder Darren Potter.

Wales' Bale has still not recovered from a foot injury and will also miss the game with Germany four days later.

Koumas joined the Wales camp despite withdrawing from Wigan's squad to face Spurs on Sunday with sickness.

With Bellamy out, Simon Davies is favourite to be skipper in his absence.

Owain Tudur-Jones has been included to get a feel of the squad after his many injury woes, but is not expected to travel to Germany next week.

Neither Wales or the Republic have any chance of making the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Wales squad: Hennessey (Wolves), Price (Derby), J.Collins (West Ham), Eardley (Oldham), Evans (Wrexham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Gunter (Cardiff), Morgan (Peterborough), Nyatanga (Barnsley), Ricketts (Hull), Crofts (Gillingham), A.Davies (Nottm For), S Davies (Fulham), Edwards (Luton), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Tudur-Jones (Swansea), Koumas (Wigan), Ledley (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Cotterill (Wigan), Earnshaw (Derby), Easter (Plymouth), Eastwood (Wolves).