Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff admits September's World Cup qualifier against Cypurs has been on his mind this summer. 

Duff was in the Newcastle United team which defeated Shamrock Rovers 3-0 on Saturday night in a friendly at Tallaght Stadium.

And the Dubliner is buoyed up about the prospect of Ireland building on their strong World Cup campaign that has seen them continue to challenge Italy for top spot in Group Eight.

He said after Saturday's game. "Even lying on my sunbed in the summer that (qualification) was all I was thinking about I'm sure all the lads were. We finished off the season on a high with a good result in Bulgaria. We are all geared up for it - even now."

The 30-year-old was in the last Irish team that visited Cyprus when they came away on the end of a 5-2 defeat. But Duff is not dwelling on that result.

"We can't go to Cyprus thinking of it as a revenge mission because we are just thinking about the group and obviously we need three points.

"We are definitely good enough to go there and win but you can see what has happened to the teams that have gone there already. Italy only sneaked a win in the last few minutes.

"People think you are going to go there and spank Cyprus but it just doesn't happen. The result a few years ago; we know what that was like. But we are looking to go there and win.

"We obviously need the three points and we are desperate to get them. We are still thinking after the Bulgaria game about winning the group.

"We have Italy at home (in October) so nothing else will do against Cyprus. I don't think we are exactly looking behind at Bulgaria - we all still believe we can win it."