NEWCASTLE UNITED GOALKEEPER Rob Elliot has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad that will take on Poland in Warsaw in Sunday evening’s final Euro 2016 qualifier.
Elliot has been called up to replace Shay Given, who sustained a knee injury during last night’s historic 1-0 win over Germany at the Aviva Stadium. Given has returned to his club, Stoke City, for further assessment so he won’t make the trip to Poland.
News of Given’s absence will be cushioned by the assured performance of his replacement last night, Darren Randolph, as well as a positive update regarding Seamus Coleman and Marc Wilson.
Both Coleman and Wilson missed last night’s game against the world champions because of injuries, but according to a press release issued this afternoon by the FAI, the defensive duo are available for selection this weekend.
Robbie Brady and Stephen Ward picked up knocks against the Germans but the FAI say there are no other injury concerns to report.
After last night’s heroic performance, manager Martin O’Neill cancelled this morning’s training session at the FAI National Training Centre as the players begin to recharge their batteries ahead of Sunday’s massive game, in which a place at next summer’s European Championships in France will be at stake.
Be harsh on Christie if he was dropped, as outstanding as Coleman is.
That’s football at least now we know u got good back up
Christie can play left back
Jesus the good news just keeps coming. Coleman has to come back in, quality player.
Coleman will play, despite Christies performance last night but Keogh should hold onto his place alongside O’Shea. Will be interesting to see if Whelan comes in and if so in place of who.
McCarthy miles better in that role
Harsh on whoever gets dropped for Coleman, wouldn’t want to be Christie. Ireland’s best player probably yesterday. Marc Wilson shouldn’t get a look in
I hope the midfield stays the same. not sure we would have won with Whelan in there last night
We’ll beat the poles
Randolph is class no need to change it he’s done well for the hammers when he’s played ! Coleman right back christie left back leave oshea and keogh . Keep the midfield the same whealan is useless slows are whole game down ! Wouldn’t start Murphy he done jack shit
Westwood not injured ! The only irish keeper that is first choice for club. have they fallen out ??
Is Westwood injured?
Whole team were great but I thought the midfield looked much more threatening with with McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, Wezzi.
We’ve got to go for goals in this match, no matter what happens we’re in the play offs, so just attack, attack, attack. Even a high scoring draw will see us through.
Wouldn’t change a winning team but Coleman coming in would give us a great chance,Christie has played LB for Derby in the past so no reason he can’t slot in.was looking at clips of Poland in this campaign and to be brutally honest if we approach this game with the same positivity as last night we can certainly beat them.
Please God whelan doesn’t play.
while given has been a fantastic servant for ireland i think its time to blood in a new goalkeeper as he himself is just about over the hill.. no offence to him used to b a world class keeper
Think Ireland should go with Christie and Coleman on the right and Brady and McClean on the left! Nothing to lose
Randolf, Coleman, O’Shea, Keogh, Christie, Walters, Hendrick, McCarthy, Brady, Hoolahan, Long