Whelan unaffected by criticism

The 34-year-old is set to wins his 85th, and most likely last Republic of Ireland cap, however the Aston Villa midfielder has told 'Sky Sports' that he has never felt under-appreciated. 

"I didn't care. When I come in, all I want to do is impress my family first and foremost; then I wanted to impress the manager", he told 'Sky Sports'.

"I wanted to play, so no, headlines and stuff like that, it definitely wasn't about coming in and making them better.

"I would like to think the players that I've played with, if ever you want to speak to anyone and ask what I was like, they would tell you the truth."

Whelan has found his opportunities limited in the last year with current boss Martin O'Neill looking to blood a new generation of midfielders, and he has no problem with that.

"It's an important game for both teams but there'll be a real determination for us to go out and get a result and take something back up the road and set us up nicely for Sunday."