Walters starts for 50th cap as Ireland team to face Georgia is named

The road to Russia takes Ireland to Tbilisi for a World Cup Group D qualifier.

Ben Blake reports from the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi

IRELAND MANAGER MARTIN O’Neill has named his team for this evening’s World Cup qualifier away to Georgia (5pm kick-off Irish time).

Burnley forward Jon Walters has recovered from an ankle injury in time and gets the nod — earning his 50th senior cap for the Boys in Green.

Jonathan Walters The Irish players during last night's session. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Cyrus Christie continues to deputise for Seamus Coleman has he regains full fitness after a double leg break, while Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark returns to partner Shane Duffy at centre-half.

Glenn Whelan — captain for the night — is partnered by Harry Arter of Bournemouth in midfield. As Walters, James McClean, Robbie Brady and Shane Long are all starting in attack, O’Neill is likely to play a 4-2-3-1 formation with Long as the lone striker.

Ireland team to play Georgia: Randolph, Christie, Clark, Duffy, Ward, Whelan (c), Arter, Brady, McClean, Walters, Long.

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