Republic of Ireland's manager gets help from FA ahead of U21 clash with Azerbaijan

Givens' squad face the Azeris in the first leg of a preliminary round tie for the European Championships in Baku tomorrow.

According to the Irish Examiner edition, in terms of logistics and planning for the game, Givens could not have asked for a more difficult draw.

However, aware England played Azerbaijan in a European Championship qualifier in October 2004, Givens contacted the FA for assistance.

"The FA sent four or five match report dossiers on Azerbaijan, and also informed me as to the problems they encountered, and how to go about things," said Givens.

"It was all good advice and very informative, although a number of players mentioned in the reports will no longer be playing for the under-21 side.

"But I'm hoping everything will run smoothly. We're staying in a good hotel and, although there's a four-hour time difference, we are staying on UK time.

"In terms of the body clock, we felt that would be easier for the players, so we are as prepared as we can be.

"There are no great concerns. It's just a little like the old eastern bloc."

Givens has done his own homework on Azerbaijan, who play the return leg with Ireland at Kilkenny's Buckley Park next Thursday.

"I saw them draw 1-1 in a friendly with Georgia in Tbilisi recently, and they are a decent side," added Givens.

"They play a 3-5-2 formation, which is something I've been working on with the boys in training at Bisham Abbey these last few days.

"We are going to have to be right if we are to do the business. We cannot afford to be sloppy."

As has become customary for Givens, he has had to contend with a host of withdrawals from his original 18-man squad.

Key players in Joey O'Brien of Bolton, Manchester City's Stephen Ireland, Darren Potter of Liverpool, Millwall's Colin Doyle and Glenn Whelan of Sheffield Wednesday have all withdrawn.

Given, though, believes his 17-man squad is still "strong enough" to get a result.

"We've still a good bunch of boys and, as long as we get a decent result in this first game, then I'm sure we'll be okay," insisted Givens.

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