Child's birth could rule Ledley out of Ireland football clash

Joe and Ruby Ledley are already the parents of two daughters, with their third child expected a few days after the Group D Clash at Lansdowne Road.

"Ruby is expecting two or three days after the game, so Joe is hoping he doesn't get the call until the day after," said Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who plays alongside midfielder Ledley at Premier League club Crystal Palace, on Wednesday.

"He's not been nervous, he's been calm. He's just keeping his phone on loud and for one of the members of staff to take his phone if he's out on the training field.

"He's used to it now... but let's hope she doesn't drop before the game. I would be lost without him!"

The Republic are currently four points clear of third-placed Wales and two ahead of Serbia in the race to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Hennessey said Wales's run to the semi-finals of last year's European Championships in France would help them cope with vocal home supporters at Lansdowne Road.

"It will be a hostile game in terms of the crowd," he said. "But on the field and off the field, the Euros really prepared us for games like this.

"The Irish have injuries but that means other people will come in to stake a claim.

"It's difficult opposition but we know what they're all like. We know all about their players and their style of play," the goalkeeper added.