EVERTON YOUNGSTER HARRY Charsley is optimistic Ireland U21s can maintain their encouraging start to qualification away to Norway later today.
Noel King’s side currently sit top of their Uefa U21 European Championship qualifying group.
In addition to drawing 0-0 with the Norwegians at Tallaght Stadium back in October, the Irish side have picked up wins against Kosovo, Azerbaijan and Israel.
However, the game in Dremmen (6pm kick-off Irish time) is likely to be the Boys in Green’s stiffest test yet, particularly as the Norwegians come into it on the back of an impressive 3-1 victory against group favourites Germany.
Nevertheless, Charsley, who was on target in the recent win over Israel, remains confident that his side can maintain their unbeaten record this evening.
“It’s the aim, that’s for sure,” he said. “We’ve had some fantastic results so far this campaign and we’ll be looking to bring that into tomorrow night.
Norway are a good, technical team, like they showed in Tallaght last month, so we know we need to be at our very best to get the result we need.
“The conditions will be different from what we’re used to, but the training has been good since we landed yesterday and we’re all really looking forward to it.”
It won’t be easy, however. QPR youngster Reece Grego-Cox — who hit a hat-trick in the last match against Israel — is absent through injury, as is Ryan Delaney, who is returning to Championship side Burton Albion, after recently winning the double while on loan at Cork City. Chesterfield’s Connor Dimaio and recent Derry City signing Rory Hale have replaced them in the squad.
The game is set to be played amid unenviable conditions, with temperatures expected to drop to minus three degrees in the Marienlyst Stadion, while the fixture will be played on a 3G pitch.
Republic of Ireland U21 to face Norway
Goalkeepers: Kieran O’Hara (Manchester United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool).
Defenders: Danny Kane (Huddersfield Town), Ryan Sweeney (Stoke City, on loan at Bristol Rovers), Shaun Donnellan (West Bromwich Albion, on loan at Walsall), Corey Whelan (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (West Ham, on loan at Bolton Wanderers), Harry Charsley (Everton), Conor Shaugnessey (Leeds United), Liam Kinsella (Walsall), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jake Mulraney (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Connor Ronan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rory Hale (Derry City), Connor Dimaio (Chesterfield).
Attackers: Ryan Manning (QPR), Ronan Curtis (Derry City), Joe Quigley (Bournemouth, on loan at Newport County).
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