Middlesbrough defender Sean St Ledger has been given the low-down on his trip to the Stade de France next week by French club-mates Jeremie Aliadiere and Didier Digard.

The 24-year-old faces a daunting visit to Paris as the Republic of Ireland attempt to edge past France in the World Cup play-offs.

However, Aliadiere and Digard have told him not to expect the wall of noise which will greet their compatriots at Croke Park on Saturday night.

St Ledger said: "We have a couple of French lads back at Middlesbrough and they have said to me the atmosphere at the Stade de France is not always great because they seem to have a lot of tourists going.

"It's probably the case with Wembley as well. Living in England, you seem to find people go for a day out rather than the actual football fans, whereas at Croke Park, the atmosphere against Italy was amazing - and I am sure the noise will be double that.

"It's something that as a player you always look forward to and you just want the game to come around now."