SOUTHAMPTON DEFENDER RYAN Manning has linked up with the Ireland squad ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Belgium in Dublin.
Manning underwent a minor procedure at his club and so was omitted from the initial squad list, but he has recovered sufficiently to link up with the squad. His return offers Ireland more depth at left-back, and he will vie for inclusion with Robbie Brady and Callum O’Dowda.
John O’Shea confirmed Ireland have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, with Liam Scales and Troy Parrott ruled out at the start of the week.
O’Shea is in interim charge for tomorrow’s game, along with Tuesday’s friendly against Switzerland, with Stephen Kenny’s permanent successor to be unveiled in April.
“It’s an incredible honour to be manager of your country”, said O’Shea ahead of the game. “To get the chance to represent Ireland from U15 onwards and all the levels, captain your country the chance to be involved coaching with the U21s and the senior team and now being manager, it’s amazing, one that myself and my family are really proud of.”
O’Shea will pick his team and inform the players later today, but was giving away very little at his pre-game press conference. Of the new call-ups, Sammie Szmodics looks most likely to make his debut from the start, with Finn Azaz and Jake O’Brien in the mix from the bench.
“We have plenty of players playing and plenty of substitutes to finish the game and be as strong as you were when you started”, said O’Shea. “The good thing is there are good players in form and it’s a nice problem to have in a good few positions.”
Belgium are without headline stars Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois thorough injury.
A crowd of around 40,000 people are expected at the game, with tickets still on sale as part of a double-header with the Swiss game on Tuesday.
Be surprised if the line up like that. More likely cooper in full back line, O’Sullivan at half back line. Also be surprised if mccaffrey is not in half back line.
@Augustus hoop:
As usual,the “real” team will not line out as selected.I dont know why Jim Gavin does thos all the time.Are we getting any advantage by naming these dummy teams?Obviously Jim thinks we are.Doubt McCaffrey is playing up front and if he starts it will be in the backs with one of the selected back six dropping to the bench.Suppose it’s a bit of a talking point for us fans but we’ll have to wait until just before throw-in to find out.
@mark kenny: true cant see the value in this dummy team … can see mick fitz drop out lowndes cooper go to full back line and small mccaffery and cian o sullivan in h/ back line a half forward come in for fitz could be flynn/or kev mac
@Liam Murphy:
Yea it’s hard to second guess Jim but i’ll have a guess at the back seven
1 Cluxton
2 McMahon
3 Fitzimmons
4 Lowndes
5 McCaffrey
6 O Sullivan
7 Small
@mark kenny: no cooper so who plays in the forward line when jack mac comes back
@Liam Murphy:
Maybe Scully.It’s only a guess,though.Who knows what Jim will do?Bernard probably did enough the last day to start but maybe he’s better coming off the bench.
What a joke
Dublin could play their U21 squad up until at least the semifinals giving the poor standard of this competition.these backdoor mickey Mouse games with teams that have no hope of making it to the final
@Jamie: their u21s would not win today’s game. Would their u21s beat Kildare?
@Patrick O’Sullivan: yes they would on both questions
@Jamie: Yea why don’t they just put Dublin straight into the final every year
@Jamie: i think you are wrong lad. There 21s would definitely not beat monaghan.
McCafferry will go back and mark O’Sullivan man and he will be sweeper then