Michael Obafemi was handed the No 20 shirt and a place on the bench for tonight’s friendly against Northern Ireland, with Robbie Brady making his first Republic of Ireland start in year.
Southampton attacker Obafemi committed his international future to Ireland earlier today but he’s held back as Callum Robinson leads the line with support most likely coming from James McClean.
Brady hasn’t featured since the disastrous play-off defeat to Denmark, subsequently suffering a dreadful knee injury against Leicester in December 2017 which required an operation and lengthy recuperation.
Seamus Coleman also makes a welcome return for Martin O’Neill having missed the Nations League games against Denmark and Wales.
Shane Duffy, Blackburn’s Darragh Lenihan and John Egan of Sheffield United all get the nod.
Glenn Whelan captains the side in the middle of the park in what is likely his last appearance for his country.
He’ll have Jeff Hendrick for company with Callum O’Dowda and Robbie Brady possibly on the flanks, and McClean looking like he'll play off Robinson up top.
This is the 11th time the sides have met in an international fixture – the 12th if you count the low-key friendly they played behind closed doors in June 2015.
The Republic have beaten their neighbours four times, including the 5-0 Nations Cup victory in their last official meeting back in May 2011.
Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph; Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, John Egan, Darragh Lenihan, James McClean, Glenn Whelan (capt), Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Callum O’Dowda, Callum Robinson
Subs: Colin Doyle, Caoimhin Kelleher, Cyrus Christie, Shaun Williams, Sean Maguire, Enda Stevens, Ronan Curtis, Conor Hourihane, Scott Hogan, Michael Obafemi, Kevin Long, Harry Arte
