Callum Robinson will start in Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku, kick-off 5pm.
The West Brom forward has been in the spotlight all week due to the revelation that he was yet to receive a Covid vaccine, and he returns to the starting XI after missing last month’s trip to Portugal due to Covid-19.
Robinson starts alongside striker Adam Idah who has recovered from an illness earlier this week and the Norwich youngster will lead the line, while Daryl Horgan makes up the attacking trio.
Stephen Kenny has named what appears to be a 3-4-3 formation with the same goalkeeper and central defensive unit from the last game, at home to Serbia, with the impressive Gavin Bazunu holding on to the number one jersey.
John Egan will captain the side and plays in a three at the back with Shane Duffy and Andrew Omobamidele, who has looked impressive since stepping in for Dara O’Shea earlier in the campaign.
Captain Seamus Coleman is ruled out through injury, which leaves Matt Doherty to patrol the right flank, with James McClean in the left-sided role.
Josh Cullen and Jeff Hendrick make up the midfield unit for what is surely considered a must-win for Kenny, who remains in search of his first competitive win since taking over in 2020.
Will Keane was not named in the matchday squad, so the new arrival will not get his chance to make his debut, while Jason Knight has also been omitted, having been ill earlier in the week.
Late call-up Liam Scales has also been left out of the matchday 23.
Azerbaijan have made just one change from the side that drew in Dublin in September with Abbas Huseynov replacing Elvin Badalov.
Azerbaijan: 12 Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (GK); 13 Abbas Hüseynov, 4 Hojjat Haghverdi 5 Maksim Medvedev (capt), 18 Anton Krivotsyuk; 8 Emin Makhmudov, 2 Gara Garayev, 17 Tural Bayramov; 7 Namik Alaskarov 10 Mahir Emreli 19 Filip Ozobić
Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu; Shane Duffy, John Egan (capt), Andrew Omobamidele; James McClean, Josh Cullen, Jeff Hendrick, Matt Doherty; Daryl Horgan Callum Robinson, Adam Idah.
Referee: Espen Eskås (NOR)
Follow Azerbaijan v Ireland with our live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 4pm and listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
