GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI HAS been forced into making two changes ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Russia.
A yellow card during the 0-0 draw with Slovakia means Sean St Ledger misses the fixture through suspension and he is replaced by Darren O’Dea, who is currently plying his trade in the Championship with Leeds.
Stephen Kelly, meanwhile, has come in for John O’Shea – the Sunderland defender having been ruled out of the game in Moscow because hip and calf injuries.
Otherwise, it is as you were for Ireland with Kevin Doyle retaining his place up front along side Robbie Keane as Shane Long remains sidelined and has returned to West Brom.
Speaking ahead of the team announcement to FAI.ie, O’Dea said: “We are disappointed that we didn’t win the game (on Friday night), but we are certainly not down ourselves. We have got a very good chance to go there and get a positive result on Tuesday.”
Republic of Ireland team to play Russia: Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Richard Dunne, Darren O’Dea, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.