KEANE EYES ITALIAN JOB

Robbie Keane has warned world champions Italy that the Republic of Ireland are gunning for them as they prepare for a potentially crucial head-to-head in Dublin.

The Italians remain a point clear of the Irish at the top of Group 8 heading into Wednesday night's clash with third-placed Bulgaria in Turin after both teams enjoyed away victories on Saturday night.

Keane's late strike in Nicosia finally saw off Cyprus, while the Italians won 2-0 in Georgia to set up a showdown at Croke Park when a major blow could be struck either way in the race for qualification for South Africa.

The Tottenham frontman, whose goal at the GSP Stadium was the 40th of his senior international career, was in bullish mood as he considered the prospect of a showdown with manager Giovanni Trapattoni's native country.

He said: "That's what all the lads wanted - I think the whole nation wanted that, because anyone in our back yard, we are always confident we can beat anyone.

"We have given ourselves a good stepping stone now. We have a nice break between now and then and we will certainly look forward to those two games."

Italy have amassed 17 points from their seven games to date, while the Republic have 16 having played one match more, a return which includes a hard-fought point from their trip to Bari in April.

However, Keane readily admits they would have taken that situation heading into their final two games, both at home against Marcello Lippi's men and Montenegro.

He said: "Yes, I think anyone would have. People expected Italy to win the group anyway, but at this stage now, we want to win the group, there's no question about that.

"If we get second, so be it, that would be great. But we certainly want to win the group, and there's no reason why we can't.

"It depends on Italy and if they drop points. If they drop points on Wednesday, then we have a chance."

Irish eyes will be fully focused on Turin on Wednesday evening - Trapattoni's men play a friendly against South Africa in Limerick 24 hours earlier - and opinion may be divided on the best result.

Victory for Italy would make winning the group intensely difficult for Ireland, but would virtually guarantee them the runners-up spot.

A Bulgaria win would blow the race wide open, although that would drag Dimitar Berbatov and company back into striking distance.

Keane said: "It will be a tough game on Wednesday now, Bulgaria against Italy, and that will hopefully open up the group a little bit, you never know.

"But it was important we did our job last night, and full credit to the lads."

Ireland got off to a dream start when Kevin Doyle blasted them in front with just five minutes gone, but it took a fine save from keeper Shay Given to deny striker Ioannis Okkas an almost instant reply.

Cyprus did get back into the game on the half-hour when Marios Elia levelled with a sweetly struck shot, and with both sides labouring on a difficult pitch, the game looked to be heading for a draw.

However, with just seven minutes remaining, Keane timed his run to meet Damien Duff's near-post cross to perfection and headed a priceless winner past keeper Sofronis Avgousti.

Keane said: "It was a great cross, but we know Damien can do that, and luckily enough, I was on the end of it.

"Damien was brilliant. He was a great outlet for us because it was warm out there and he kept getting the ball and getting at their players.

"He gave their right-back an awful time."

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HUGHES - CITY ACCEPT ROTATION

Mark Hughes has pointed out that all of his Manchester City squad understand the importance of rotation.

The Welshman has already had to make tough decisions this season, for instance when he left Robinho out of his starting line-up for the trip to Portsmouth last time out.

The City boss explains that there will come a time for every player to sit out, but he is confident there will be no sulking from his superstar players as a result.

Summer signing Roque Santa Cruz is also expected back within the next month giving Hughes more selection headaches upfront, not that he is complaining.

"There's an understanding that at times the next game or opposition might not be the right one for them to be in the side," he told the club's official website.

"I look at the opposition and the threats our players can make - against different teams you need different threats.

"That will always come into my thinking, and the players understand that. It's about making sure we have the right team for the right opposition."

Hughes also highlighted that those players not getting into his starting XI took part in more strenuous sessions to ensure that when they are called upon their fitness levels will be up to scratch.

"We ensure that if they don't get significant first-team action, they get more work in training than the ones who have played 90 minutes," he added.

"It's important they have the ability to make an impact when called upon. They understand how my staff work - it's not a punishment that they have to do extra work out of the team, it's because we want to give them the best chance of being successful when they do get called upon.

"They understand that, that work has to be done - they know it's a long season, that there will be times when they have to have an impact, so they have to be ready."

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BARRY: PRESSURE ON CROATIA

England midfielder Gareth Barry has told Croatia to forget about mind-games ahead of the World Cup qualifier on Wednesday - because the pressure is all on them to get a result.

Barry has laughed off talk of a conspiracy to injure Luka Modric and, as one of the survivors of two years ago when Slaven Bilic's side denied them a place at Euro 2008, is focused on showing how far England have come under Fabio Capello.

The Aston Villa midfielder knows England are in the driving seat after seven wins from as many World Cup qualifiers, while Croatia need to maintain their hopes of a play-off place to reach South Africa.

"This game is completely different to two years ago," Barry said. "The pressure is on them. They know we can qualify on the night and the pressure is on them."

As for talk of deliberately sidelining Modric, Barry added: "We've laughed at a comment like that. It's something that doesn't go on."

There will be an element of revenge for England after the defeat in 2007, marking an end to Steve McClaren's reign and leading to Capello's appointment.

Capello wanted to face Slovenia four days before the Croatia clash as they have a similar style to Bilic's men and Frank Lampard and Jermain Defoe grabbed the goals in a 2-1 win.

"Now it's the big one," Barry said. "A lot of players in that dressing room won't forget that night at Wembley. There will be a few memories.

"Like many others it was the lowest point of my career - being on the verge of qualifying for a championships and then all of a sudden it's taken away from you. This is England we're talking about and we need to be part of these tournaments.

"But it's a different manager and a different team and although that might be in the back of our minds we'll be confident we can do it this time. We've come a long way, really if you look at the results. If we qualify on Wednesday with a 100% record that's all we can do.

"Everyone wants to put it to bed on Wednesday and get across the line. I'm sure the lads will be firing on the night."

Striker Emile Heskey added: "Obviously I wasn't here but I was feeling for the lads," said striker Emile Heskey. "It was sad. You want to be involved in all these games, in all the tournaments but not everyone can be."

Heskey's recall has been a huge part of Capello's reign but the Villa striker is aware of Defoe breathing down his neck with five goals in three substitute appearances.

"You can't complain (if Defoe starts)," Heskey said. "Jermain has done brilliantly. Every time he comes on the pitch he scores a goal. That's the main thing.

"We're in competition but it's good competition. It puts you on your toes knowing you've got to do well."

Heskey also defended Wayne Rooney, who was criticised by Slovenia players after winning a penalty for the opener at Wembley.

"The lad was pulling his shirt," he said. "Sometimes they're given, sometimes they're not.

"Hopefully Wayne can continue with his form for years to come. He's a great player. He appreciates everyone. He's a provider as well as a finisher."

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FERGIE WANTS ROONEY TO BE MIDDLE MAN

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson knows Wayne Rooney likes to wander around the pitch but claims the England international is at his most effective when he occupies the centre-forward role.

Rooney has four Premier League goals for United already this season, putting him level with Jermain Defoe at the top of the scoring charts. He has found the back of the net against Birmingham and Arsenal, and netted a double at Wigan in United's 5-0 win.

United are keen for the former Everton forward to play a more central role than in previous seasons, with Ferguson believing he can provide the goals to soften the blow of Cristiano Ronaldo's summer exit.

Rooney has welcomed the opportunity, but Ferguson understands the 23-year-old is prone to roaming.

Ferguson told Inside United magazine: "The boy's got a real hunger and drive about him. He has so much energy that sometimes he overdoes it in the sense that he wants to use it all; he'll drop into midfield or he'll go outside left.

"But he's young, and young players tend to sometimes be that way - they want to spend all their energy on the pitch.

"But if he concentrates like he did at Wigan and spends more time in the central areas rather than the wide positions then he will get goals. There's no doubt about that."

Rooney has been a regular scorer since joining United in 2004, however Ferguson suspects Sir Bobby Charlton's club goals record of 249 will be difficult to beat.

"It'll be very tough," Ferguson said. "Sir Bobby's record is 249 goals, so at this stage of Wayne's career I'd say he'll have to do very well to get anywhere near that."

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Gunners lose Djourou to injury for six months

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou is expected to be out of action for around six months after undergoing knee surgery.

Johan Djourou: Knee problem

The Switzerland international has had an operation on his left knee and the Swiss FA have announced he will not be ready to return until March.

Djourou sustained the injury on international duty last month, ahead of the friendly against Italy and the 22-year-old has missed the chance to stake a claim for a first-team place at the Emirates in the absence of Kolo Toure, sold to Manchester City this summer.

Though £10m Belgian signing Thomas Vermaelen has slotted in alongside an in-form William Gallas, Djourou's injury may leave Arsene Wenger short of defensive options, even though Philippe Senderos has returned to the club after a spell on loan at AC MIlan.

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