Martin O'Neill has admitted there are still places up for grabs in his Republic of Ireland team for Sunday 's Euro 2016 showdown with Poland . The 63-year-old Ireland boss has spent the last week keeping his fingers crossed over a series of injury doubts , all the while considering options to plug potential gaps in his starting line-up . Everton midfielder Darron Gibson , who would have been in contention for Sunday 's qualifier at the Aviva Stadium , has already returned to his club after admitting defeat in his battle against a groin problem , although O'Neill received better news on Friday when full-back Stephen Ward and winger James McClean were both able to train in Malahide . Martin O'Neill has admitted there are still places up for grabs in his Republic of Ireland team . Republic of Ireland 's Stephen Quinn and Kevin Doyle during the training session at Gannon Park . However , the team will not be named until the day of the game , and that means there is still time for men to force their way into his plans . O'Neill said : ' I think there are positions up for grabs , like there have always been since I have come here , and I think any international manager would probably tell you exactly the same . 'He 's got an idea that he can formulate a couple of weeks beforehand , but the first time that you really consider it is when you have players at your disposal for the week of the game . 'Of course , we have had one or two players who for one reason or another , generally through injury , have n't really been available for the start of the week , so then you have to formulate different ideas , different plans for the players that you think might participate in the game . 'But overall , there have always been positions up for grabs here . ' Ward and McClean have both been struggling with ankle problems and while the Wigan winger has been a regular member of the starting XI under O'Neill , it is perhaps the absence of Burnley left-back Ward which would cause him the greater consternation . Marc Wilson can and has played at full-back , although has more recently been employed as a central defender by his country , while Ciaran Clark is also left-sided and could play in both positions . Goalkeeper Shay Given ( right ) trains alongside fellow stopper David Forde . Republic of Ireland player Daryl Murphy talks to the media during training ahead of the Poland clash . However , there is a school of thought which suggests that any vacancy on the left side of the back four could be filled by Hull winger Robbie Brady , who has operated there in the past for both club and country . Indeed , he scored twice from that position in November 's 4-1 friendly victory over the United States in Dublin , and that has not been lost on his manager . O'Neill said : 'He did very well , really well , scored two goals and from that position on the field , was really excellent . ' However , Ward 's fitness - he has suffered some irritation from screws used to repair his fractured ankle - and readiness to play will be fully assessed before a final decision is taken . O'Neill said : ' I 'll have a word with him now and see how he feels . This was the first bit of work that he 's done , but we 'll see . 'Fitness is very , very important , but sometimes players can get through on adrenaline . You would n't want to be going in with four or five players not having done that much , but Stephen knows himself now . If he thinks he can make it , well that 's good news for us . ' James McClean limped out of training on Tuesday ahead of Republic of Ireland 's Euro 2016 clash with Poland . Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane in action as his side prepare for the Group D leaders . Poland currently lead Group D by three points from Germany , Scotland and Ireland , and while O'Neill does not necessarily view Sunday 's encounter as a must-win affair , he knows the impetus a victory would give his side . He said : 'Naturally , we are at home and the onus is on us to try to get forward and try to win the game , and that 's what we are going to try to do . 'But there are a number of games left in the competition . You mentioned the top two places [ qualify ] automatically - it 's a tough old group we are in , but we are going for it . ' Celebrations of Ireland 's RBS Six Nations Championship victory last weekend are still very much ongoing , and O'Neill is hoping to take a little of that into the game . He said : 'The Irish rugby team has done fantastically well and maybe we could take something from that . They have given us a lead , let 's go and try to continue that . '
hearts of Ireland face Poland in at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday . ben ##nett waiting on several injury doubts for Darron Gibson . Boss the team is not decided yet for the Euro ##league qualifying clash .