The Republic of Ireland face the possibility of being drawn against England for the group stages of Euro 2012 after UEFA announced the seedings for next month's draw.
Ireland will be drawn from Pot 4 at the December 2 draw with Denmark, the Czech Republic and France also among the fourth group of seeds. This means Ireland will not square up to France, who denied them a place at the 2010 World Cup in controversial circumstances, until the latter stages of the competition.
Co-hosts Poland and Ukraine will be in Pot 1, although they have already been allocated to groups A and D respectively. Reigning world and European champions Spain are also in the top group of seeds along with World Cup runners-up Holland.
England are in the second group of seeds with Fabio Capello's side alongside Germany, Italy and Russia, while Croatia, Greece, Portugal and Sweden will be drawn from Pot 3.
The draw for the finals will be made in Kiev on December 2.
Euro 2012 seedings:
Pot 1: Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland