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Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has unveiled a provisional squad for Euro 2021 play-off matches vs Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Irish will battle the former Yugoslav republic for a place at the tournament finals and they are 2.20 (6/5) with Coral to qualify.
Republic of Ireland play the first leg away on 13 November before the return match takes place at their Aviva Stadium in Dublin three days later.
Martin O’Neill has today announced his preliminary 39-player squad for the play-off matches, with injury doubts John O’Shea and Shane Long both included.
And while the Sunderland defender is banned for the first leg, a hamstring injury means he may miss the return match as well.
Meanwhile, Shane Long is recovering from an ankle injury and his club manager Ronald Koeman hinted the striker could play this weekend.
O’Neill has problems in the goalkeeping department with Shay Given, Darren Randolph and David Forde all unlikely to play in the next couple of weeks, and Kieran Westwood not at 100%.
Update (09.11): Shay Given, David McGoldrick, Greg Cunningham, Eunan O’Kane, Paul Green, Anthony Pilkington, Anthony Stokes, Adam Rooney and Simon Cox have been dropped from the provisional squad.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: David Forde (Millwall), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United);
Defenders: Richard Keogh (Derby County), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Paul McShane (Reading), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Robbie Brady (Norwich City);
Midfielders: James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Darron Gibson (Everton), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Aiden McGeady (Everton), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Judge (Brentford), David Meyler (Hull City), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City);
Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids).
