Veteran keeper Shay Given is hoping the Republic of Ireland can blow Euro 2016 qualifying Group D wide open by getting the better of surprise leaders Poland on Sunday . Ireland entertain the unbeaten Poles at the Aviva Stadium desperate to bounce back from November 's 1-0 defeat in Scotland , their first reverse of the campaign to date . With world champions Germany still favourites to finish top of the pile despite a less than auspicious start , the race for the second automatic qualification spot is well and truly on . Veteran keeper Shay Given hopes the Republic of Ireland can surprise leaders Poland on Sunday . Republic of Ireland goalkeepers David Forde and Shay Given during the training session at Gannon Park . Given said : 'It is huge . It 's a big week building up to it now as well . It 's one of the biggest games we will play in the whole qualifying campaign . 'Of course , Poland are a great team , but we are at home and we have got to use that advantage and try to get the win . 'It 's not must-win yet , but it 's must-not-lose , I suppose . We have all been here before in this situation the the qualifying campaign . We know how important it is . Republic of Ireland 's Darren Randolf , David Forde , Cyrus Christie and Richard Keogh during training . 'It is a huge game , of course , and ideally you want to win your home games and take some points on the road as well . ' After victories over Georgia and Gibraltar , the Republic returned from Germany with a creditable 1-1 draw , only to succumb to Shaun Maloney 's strike at Celtic Park in their final qualifier of 2014 . Their next two games in the group see them entertain the Poles and the Scots in Dublin and only a healthy return will see them maintain pace with the pace-setters . Republic of Ireland 's Stephen Quinn and Kevin Doyle during the training session at Gannon Park . Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill during the training session at Gannon Park . Martin O'Neill 's men are locked together with the Germans and the Scots on seven points , three behind Poland . Striker Daryl Murphy is refusing to look any further ahead than Sunday 's showdown at the Aviva . He said : ' I think there 's still a lot to play for . This game now coming , we need to get a result . Especially at home , we want to put in a good performance and come out with something after the game . ' I would n't look too far beyond that , just look to the game on Sunday and see what we can do . ' Republic of Ireland 's Roy Keane gives instructions during the training session at Gannon Park . O'Neill and his players met up at their Portmarnock base on Sunday evening and got to work at nearby Gannon Park in Malahide on Monday morning . Skipper Robbie Keane was due to arrive later from the Los Angeles Galaxy , as were Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter , in the squad for the first time , and Stoke striker Jon Walters , who played 12 minutes as a substitute in Saturday 's 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace wearing a protective mask over his fractured cheekbone . Everton duo James McCarthy and Darron Gibson and Burnley defender Stephen Ward were among those who sat out training but O'Neill was not unduly concerned . Republic of Ireland 's Stephen Quinn and James McClean on the ball during training at Gannon Park . He said : 'It 's not surprising really for James as Everton have played four games in the last 10 or 11 days , Seamus Coleman too . Darron Gibson has a bit of a groin problem - he played yesterday . 'Stephen has just had a little bit of difficulty . He 's had an injury which he is coming back from and he 's getting looked at this evening , with the club 's permission , and we might have to do something about that . He 's hoping maybe two or three days on that he 's okay . 'Jon is coming in and he 's pretty upbeat . He 's got a mask and played for the last few minutes in the Stoke game and did well to put himself forward for the game , and there is this week . I think he is feeling fine and will be in later today . ' Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane shares a joke as the players train in Malahide , Ireland . O'Neill will not be rushed in selecting his team for a huge game , and 38-year-old Given is determined to use this week to edge himself ahead of regular number one David Forde to claim his 128th senior international cap . He said : 'The goalkeepers in general , David and [ Keiren ] Westwood and [ Darren ] Randolph as well , we are all a tight team together and whoever he picks , we will support them . 'You do wish them well but at the same time , your personal pride and professionalism , you want to play in the game and because it 's such a huge game as well , I would love to play on Sunday . 'But I do n't pick the team , I have just got to work hard in training . I have been playing well at Aston Villa when given the chance , and hopefully I might get the nod on Sunday . But if not , I 'll support whoever he picks . '
Republic of Ireland face unbeaten opponents at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday . They will be hoping to bounce back from turkey 's defeat to turkey . Germany are still hoping to top the table despite their slow start . But the race for the second automatic qualification spot is well and truly on .