REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy today backed Damien Duff and Robbie Keane to strike fear into Ireland's Group E opponents as the countdown to the World Cup finals begins in earnest.

With no sign of a reconciliation between McCarthy and the Republic's star man, Roy Keane, Ireland are desperate for someone else to inspire them to glory in the Far East.

And McCarthy believes Duff and Robbie Keane could be the men to do just that as he prepares to let his twin strike-force loose in Saturday's Group E opener against Cameroon in Niigata.

"I don't know anybody who would be happy to play against Robbie Keane and Damien Duff at the moment," said McCarthy.

"They will cause problems for every team and they could be the stars of the World Cup if they don't get injured. Together they are a real threat to any defence.

"This is the first time for both of them in the World Cup finals. They both watched Irish teams of the past play in World Cup finals and were both desperate to come and play in them.

"They are two hungry young players who have got unbelievable ability and fabulous agility.

"Duffer has got pace, dribbling ability, and tricks; Robbie complements him because he is quick in a different kind of way, he has quick feet, and is a great finisher.

"If you watch them in training you see they have a great understanding. If they get the protection that good players crave then they could be sensational in this World Cup."

As well as seeking protection from referees during games, McCarthy is also having to keep a close eye on his playing staff during training, where players are losing weight as a result of the heat and humidity in Japan.

That has given the Republic boss plenty of cause for concern and he has had to ease up on his training regime in order to conserve his players' energy reserves.

"With all the players less is sometimes better than more because a good number of players have lost more than two per cent of their body weight," explained McCarthy.

"That means their functions are reduced by 20% in terms of physical functions and concentration.

"Some of them have not put that back on yet and with all the warm-ups and the sweating it means they are losing more and more weight.

"We might just have to err on the side of producing it in the games rather than doing it here in training.

"It is a concern, players losing body weight. The only thing you can do to combat it is drink, not only water but Lucozade and drinks with sodium and carbohydrates.

"They also have to eat to replenish their body and get the fuel back in. Some players have not yet got back to the weight they were when they came and it is important that they do."