Here's what Ireland's starting XI would be if it were based on Fantasy Football points

Goalkeeper

WITH THREE APPEARANCES for West Ham so far this season, Darren Randolph is the only Irish goalkeeper with Premier League game time under his belt. Shay Given has only featured in the League Cup for Stoke and consequently, takes his place on the bench.

Defence

Seamus Coleman, who is a doubt for this week’s games, is comfortably Ireland’s highest scoring defender with 20 points. The next two — Damien Delaney and Ciaran Clark — are unavailable and injured respectively. Sunderland’s John O’Shea, meanwhile, must be content with a place at left-back owing to his low score, while Marc Wilson (another doubt for Thursday) must take his place on the bench.

Midfield

Assist king Wes Hoolahan is Ireland’s highest-scoring midfielder with an impressive 38 points. His teammate Robbie Brady (considered a midfielder in the game) has a similarly impressive 31 points, while Jon Walters (23), James McCarthy (16) and Glenn Whelan (15) also make the cut. James McClean and Eunan O’Kane have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Attack

With Jon Walters considered a midfielder and every other Irish striker either playing abroad or in the Championship, Shane Long (10 points) is the sole option up front for an Ireland Fantasy Football team.

Ireland team:

Formation — 4-4-1-1

Randolph

Coleman Delaney Clark O’Shea

Walters Whelan McCarthy Brady

Hoolahan

Long

Subs: Given, Wilson, McClean, O’Kane.

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