Martin O'Neill: 'Republic of Ireland not thinking about revenge'

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has insisted that his players are not out for revenge when then take on Wales, five months on from a feisty reverse fixture.

The Boys in Green are still without influential skipper Seamus Coleman since the Celtic rivals last faced off in March, as he continues to recover from a double leg fracture.

O'Neill says that getting one over on Wales for Neil Taylor's crunching tackle is not at the forefront of his side's thoughts, but he wants to pick up the win required to ensure that Russia 2018 remains a possibility.

"I don't know about revenge, but certainly I think the view among the players is that if Russia was available to us and we could make it there, I would think Seamus would be very much at the front of our minds," he told reporters.

"He has obviously been a class player, a world-class player and he's been essential for us. We have missed him and it would be nice to go there.

"He is making a good recovery now, but I think that when he's ready, he will get back to the form he showed both for club and country, and it would be nice if by the time he is back that he has got something to cheer on the international level."

Ireland head into Monday's match at the Cardiff City Stadium sitting one point behind Wales in the Group D standings and need all three points to earn a qualification playoff spot.