Liam Brady faces unique club vs country dilemma

Arsenal academy director and former club legend Liam Brady could find himself with divided loyalties tomorrow, when Ireland take on France in the first leg of their World Cup play-off. As an Arsenal man, Brady is usually to be found cheering on the French contingent at the club, but as Republic of Ireland assistant manager he'll be hoping that Bacary Sagna, William Gallas and Abou Diaby have games to forget at Croke Park in Dublin.

The former Irish midfielder is thus quite aware of the challenge that his charges will face over the next few days across both legs of the game. "We are worried about all [the French players] and we are not worried about any of them!" he told the Arsenal website.

"We respect them. Obviously, [French boss Raymond] Domenech has his choices to make on which players he plays up front. He has several really strong front players but we can go on about France all day - it's about what we do, and our players have a great belief in what we are doing."

It won't be the first time that the two teams have met at this stage - just four years ago, in the play-off for Germany 2006, they played out two tight games and were only separated at the end by Arsenal striker Thierry Henry's goal. "We are not afraid of the French team. We are always at our best when we are outsiders," Brady continued. "That is also in Irish blood. We love when people say we have no chance. That is when we are the most dangerous. We can make it."

Meanwhile in the French camp, Abou Diaby is still considered possible for the first leg. On Sunday Arsene Wenger was quoted as saying that the player would need three weeks' rest to recover from the calf injury that forced him out of the clash at Wolves the day before after just 23 minutes. However the 23-year-old was called up to the French camp and on Tuesday French federation spokesperson Francois Manardo told reporters "[the] tests Diaby underwent were satisfactory. He still needs treatment but he is not out of the play-off."

Wenger will be keen that Domenech does not play the midfielder - who has been having a fine season in club colours - unless he is fully fit. The two managers have had disagreements in the past about the status of Arsenal players - Thierry Henry's final season at the club was ended prematurely after he picked up groin and stomach injuries while on duty with his national team.