When the Republic of Ireland team sheet for Martin O ’ Neill ’ s first competitive game against Georgia was released an hour or so before kick-off , one name stood out : Stephen Quinn . This was last September and the beginning of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign . It was the start of a new , bright , vibrant era under the inspirational Derry man . Hull City ’ s midfield dynamo felt like a peculiar addition . He had been around the block since his debut against the same opponents in 2013 but never started a match with points at stake . Midfielder Stephen Quinn is in the reckoning to line up against Poland on Sunday . This was O ’ Neill making his point and giving a player previously overlooked a chance to make his own point , too . Quinn provided energy and forward thinking alongside Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy in a three-man midfield . Being left-footed , he also brought balance to the centre of the park . He was given the ultimate compliment by the manager when he was rested for the 7-0 stroll at home to Gibraltar in October so he would be ready to help stifle Germany a few days later . When he failed to start any of the four Hull games between the 1-1 draw in Gelsenkirchen and the November date with Scotland , it was no surprise Quinn was left on the bench at Celtic Park before being introduced in the second half . And while his last start in the Premier League came on January 18 , circumstances may dictate that he is in the reckoning to line out against Poland on Sunday . Jeff Hendrick has been unable to join up with the squad at all through injury while Darron Gibson returned to Everton on Wednesday because of his groin complaint . Quinn , though , isn ’ t feeling as if he ’ s a shoo-in to step back into the starting XI . ‘ I don ’ t think you can ever [ think like that ] , there are lads who have been here a long time and you can never rest on your laurels . You have to come back and show the manager you ’ re willing and able , and are still working hard for a place , ’ he insisted . Quinn made his last start in the Premier League on January 18 . ‘ No one is guaranteed a starting spot , the squad is stronger than ever with some great additions and the manager will have some headaches. ’ Poland may be the group leaders having set the cat amongst the pigeons by beating Germany , but the Dubliner maintains Ireland must be the ones to set the tempo and impose themselves on the visitors . ‘ Every game is a must-win game , you want to win all these games and try to get as good a lead as possible . But it doesn ’ t work like that with such a tough and strong group , ’ said Quinn . ‘ It is a big game , we know how big it is , there ’ s no point in beating around the bush . But we ’ ll go out and do our best . ‘ We ’ ll leave no stone unturned and do all our tactics , and then we ’ ll go out and do our job . There ’ s no point in just talking about it and looking at the videos , we ’ ve got to get on the ball and bring the game to them , ’ the 28-year-old continued . ‘ I think everyone is a little bit surprised with Germany , they ’ ve had a sluggish start and it ’ s a bit of a hangover from last summer . In European football at the minute , any team can beat anyone but you ’ ve just got to be the best team on the day and hopefully that will come good for us on Sunday. ’ Scotland and Germany are both highly likely to win this weekend against Gibraltar and Georgia respectively , so there is little room for error with Ireland level on seven points with them both . ‘ I think we can see that , it doesn ’ t take a scientist to work that out , ’ Quinn added . ‘ But maybe it ’ s the team that just limits the mistakes and capitalise on their home form that will progress . ’
Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson set to line up against Poland . Jeff Hendrick and Stephen Quinn have been ruled out of tie by injury . Ireland level on seven points with Scotland and Germany in Group D .