Republic of Ireland interim manager Noel King has not included captain Robbie Keane in his starting lineup for the World Cup qualifier away to Germany tonight.

The 33-year-old's inclusion in the clash was previously subject to some doubt after the former Tottenham Hotspur marksman sustained an ankle injury in training.

Everton full-back Seamus Coleman will lead the team out at the Rhein Energie Stadion in the absence of Keane, while Celtic striker Anthony Stokes deputises for the prolific frontman as the spearhead of attack alongside veteran Kevin Doyle.

The Boys in Green, who need a victory to keep alive their slim hopes of earning a playoff place, are poised to face many of their tormentors from the 6-1 mauling in the reverse fixture 12 months ago.

Germany coach Joachim Low has handed starting berths to both Arsenal's Mesut Ozil and Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos, both of whom netted in the clash at the Aviva Stadium last year, while Thomas Muller will lead the line as the Germans look to seal their ticket to Brazil next summer.

Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Mertesacker, Boateng, Jansen; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Kroos, Ozil, Schurrle; Muller

Republic of Ireland: Forde; Coleman, Delaney, Kelly, Clark; Whelan, Gibson, McCarthy, Wilson; Doyle, Stokes