Finnan adds to Ireland's problems
 |  Champions League winner Finnan is doubtful for Ireland at the weekend |
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DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland could be without five key defenders for their World Cup Group Four qualifier against Israel on Saturday after Steve Finnan returned to Liverpool with a thigh strain.
"I doubt if he will be back for Saturday but he has some chance," team manager Brian Kerr told the Football Association of Ireland's website.
Alan Maybury, Richard Dunne and Gary Breen are also injured and Stephen Carr suspended, but Kerr is confident he has enough defensive strength in reserve.
"It's disrupting in general to lose so many from the same area of the pitch," he said. "We still have eight in the squad who can play in defensive positions.
"All our defenders have played at right back, mostly in the Premiership. John O'Shea, Andy O'Brien, Kenny Cunningham, Gary Doherty, Steven Reid, Ian Harte and Matt Holland have played right back."
At Lansdowne Road on Saturday, Ireland will be out to avenge a last-minute goal that denied them victory against Israel in Tel Aviv in March.
France lead Group Four with 10 points and two wins after six games, just above Israel on goal difference.
"To get through in tournaments you generally have to get points in your home games," said Kerr.
"We've won our other two so far (against Cyprus and the Faroe Islands), and we know we are going to have to get a decent number of points from our remaining home games.
"So this is a game we should win, and if we do win then it would be hard for them to retrieve the situation in the group.
"That makes this a crucial game, particularly from our point of view, this is an absolutely crucial game.
"All the main matches between the top four have been draws so far. That can't keep happening. Someone has to break that run and win a game, and I hope it's going to be us.
"If that happens then it will make a big difference to the look of the table."
