By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Ibaraki

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Cameroon star Lauren is backing the Republic of Ireland to reach the last 16 of the World Cup - but fears for his own side's chances.

Despite the Indomitable Lions' victory over Saudi Arabia in Saitama on Thursday to lift coach Winfried Schaefer's squad to second in group E, Lauren believes only a win against Germany this Tuesday will secure Cameroon's place in the knockout stages.

If the Republic fail to beat the Saudis in Yokohama the same night then Cameroon will be celebrating their place in the second round for the first time since 1990 when they went on to reach the quarter-finals.

Arsenal ace Lauren, though, not only reckons Mick McCarthy's side will beat Saudi Arabia, but also by the two clear goals needed to finish in the top two in the group.

That leaves Germany and Cameroon slugging it out for the other place in Shizuoka, and with Rudi Voller's side having the upper hand following their 8-0 hiding of Saudi Arabia in the opening game.

Cameroon's downfall was in failing to beat the Saudis by more than the one goal from Samuel Eto'o, and so placing more pressure on the Republic for their clash with the Middle East side.

An unoptimistic Lauren said: "Everyone of us in the squad knows we've not been playing that well, but the most important thing is that we managed to get three more points against Saudi Arabia.

"The win was crucial because if we had drawn or lost that game then we would have been out - although we were certainly expecting to score more goals.

"We now face a big game against Germany and it's going to be very difficult because the German team is one of the biggest in the tournament.

"Anything can happen, although I don't feel confident. It is difficult to be confident against one of the best teams in the World Cup.

"But I believe we have to beat Germany because I think the Irish team is strong and they fight until the last minute. They will beat Saudi Arabia.

"I don't think it will be easy for them to beat Saudi Arabia by two goals to nil, but they can do it."

A jaded-looking Lauren concedes one of the reasons for his squad's off-key displays to date have been the heavy workload faced by the players in the previous season.

Lauren not only ended up a double-winner with Arsenal as the Gunners claimed the Premier League title and the FA Cup, but he also spent a month away on African Cup of Nations duty as well, with Cameroon again emerging champions.

Such a competition in a World Cup year has taken its toll on Lauren and his team-mates as he added: "I'm feeling tired because it was a very long season.

"Most of the players here, like me, played over 45 games in the last season.

"It is difficult for us, but we are all trying to play our best."