Updated at 21.41
Darren Randolph: Shay Given and David Forde have shown what they can do for Ireland in recent months, yet neither have played in the Premier League this season, unlike West Ham’s Darren Randolph. Consequently, Gibraltar on Friday would appear to be the perfect opportunity to give Randolph some international experience while ensuring he won’t be tested too strenuously.
Seamus Coleman: O’Neill may be tempted to save Coleman — one of his best players — for Monday’s more difficult clash with Georgia. However, the Everton man has looked less than comfortable in an Ireland jersey of late, and could do with some extra game time to build a greater understanding with his teammates.
Ciaran Clark: Unlike John O’Shea and Marc Wilson, Clark has started every Premier League game for his club this season, and so surely deserves a chance to impress for Ireland.
John O’Shea: O’Shea will almost certainly feature against Georgia on Monday, but Friday’s match is unlikely to be particularly intense, so the Sunderland man can probably afford to play two games over the course of just a few days.
Robbie Brady: Brady has looked increasingly comfortable at left-back in recent times, and with few other alternatives, he is capable of becoming a regular fixture in the role for Ireland for the foreseeable future. In addition, his accomplished set-piece delivery could lead to some joy against a Gibraltan defence that has proven less than reliable in the campaign thus far.
Stephen Quinn: Ireland have looked a little short of creativity with Whelan and McCarthy in the centre. Against Gibraltar — a side that offer little attacking threat — putting Quinn in alongside McCarthy to make the team better going forward would hardly be an undue risk.
James McCarthy: He may have produced some disappointing displays for Ireland of late, but playing Gibraltar represents as good a chance as any for McCarthy to flourish in a green jersey.
James McClean: Now back in the Premier League with West Brom, McClean deserves a chance to prove his worth from the start, after coming off the bench in the last two Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Aiden McGeady: He may not have seen any game time with Everton this season, but McGeady is still one of Ireland’s most creative players and is therefore ideally suited to playing a team like Gibraltar.
Wes Hoolahan: Like McGeady, Ireland will need another creative player such as Hoolahan to be heavily involved against a Gibraltan team that is likely to set up with two banks of four.
Robbie Keane: Whether he should start up front for future qualifiers is an issue that’s open for debate, but surely against Gibraltar, it makes sense for Ireland to field their best finisher.
Formation (4-2-3-1):
Randolph
Coleman O’Shea Clark Brady
McCarthy Quinn
McGeady Hoolahan McClean
Keane
