Ireland remain at 44th in the new FIFA world rankings released this morning, Spain are still top while England are up one place to 14th.

Our world Cup qualifier opponents Germany are 2nd while Sweden are 30th and Austria are 55th.

Giovanni Trapattoni's side are 4th in the qualifier group at present and face Sweden on September 6th in Dublin before travelling to Austria 4 days latter.

Germany who we face away on October 11th top the group on 16 points while ourselves  the Swedes and the Austrians are all on 11.

A daunting trip to Germany is followed by a home match against Kazakhstan in October after that hopefully a play-off!

Staying with international soccer

Yeovil Town forward Paddy Madden has been placed on the standby list for next weeks friendly between Ireland and Wales at Cardiff.

Madden was league one's top scorer last season.

Hulls Stephen Quinn is out of the squad after picking up a hamstring injury.