NEW Republic of Ireland chief Brian Kerr is keeping his fingers crossed that Damien Duff will be back in action as quickly as possible.

Kerr is due to name his squad for the Republic's European assignment against Georgia in Tbilisi at the end of the month three days after Rovers' game with Arsenal next weekend.

So Duff, who is due to play for Rovers Reserves tomorrow night at Aston Villa, would need to prove his fitness against the Gunners to boost his chances of being selected.

There's no doubt Kerr has identified Duff as a key part of his strategy as he attempts to retrieve the ground lost in the opening two European qualifying games against Russia and Switzerland last autumn.

Duff was the youngest member of the squad which Kerr took to Malaysia for the World Under-20 Championship in 1997 and, after securing the goal which earned victory over Ghana in the third place play-off, he forged a special bond with the new Republic boss.

Kerr said: "He emerged as one of the best players in the championship and I've never doubted his ability to lift his game for the big occasion.

"He proved that by his performance in the World Cup finals and it is the prospect of playing on another big stage in Portugal next year which will get him through this."