DOUBTS EMERGE OVER GEORGIA GAMES

Trapattoni's side may not travel to Tbilisi.

The Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Tbilisi next month could be in doubt after FAI officials expressed "concern" over the conflict in the country.

Georgia launched an attack last week in an attempt to regain control over South Ossetia, and Russian forces responded by sending in troops and conducting air strikes, with hundreds of civilians having been killed.

The Republic are due to play in Tbilisi on September 6.

A statement issued by the Football Association of Ireland said: "The FAI views with concern the escalation of hostilities in Georgia ahead of next month's World Cup qualifier match in Tbilisi.

"We will continue to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, FIFA, UEFA and the Georgian Football Association to keep fans informed of any updates and advice from these bodies as they become available."

Wales' friendly match at home to Georgia next week in Swansea could also be in doubt.

The FA of Wales have been in contact with their Georgian counterparts, and at the moment the match on August 20 at the Liberty Stadium is still on.

But further attempts to contact the Georgians will be made later on Monday.

An FAW spokesman said: "Because of the situation in the Georgia/South Russia region, the Football Association Of Wales is keeping in close contact with the Georgia Football Federation.

"At this time, the Nationwide international at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea is still scheduled to go ahead. However, we hope to have a further update from Tbilisi later this afternoon."

The match is due to be Wales' last before their World Cup qualifying campaign starts next month with a home game against Azerbaijan.

Wales have already decided that they will not seek a replacement country to take up the Swansea date if the Georgians are unable to fulfil the fixture.

The FAW are acutely conscious of the humanitarian issues that must take precedence, with football taking second place, and they feel that to invite another nation would be insensitive.

From Wales boss John Toshack's point of view, the Swansea match was playing second-fiddle to the Under-21 match in Wrexham the same night against Romania.

If the Wales youngsters cam win that, they will qualify for the UEFA Championship play-offs in November, with a place in next summer's finals in Sweden in their grasp.

Toshack and Wales Under-21 boss Brian Flynn had selected their squads accordingly, with Flynn having first call on the glut of bright youngsters who have forced their way into Toshack's senior plans.

If the Georgia game is called off, Toshack will hold a low-key training get-together in south Wales instead and throw all his resources behind Flynn's team.

FIFA have confirmed they are looking into the situation in Georgia but believe it is too early to make contingency plans for the qualifiers.

"We can confirm that we are closely monitoring the situation in Georgia," said FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola.

"At this time it is too early to speculate on any possibilities. We are in touch with the member associations.

"For the time being we are in contact with the associations of Georgia and the Republic of Ireland and that is all we are doing for now."