SIMON COX HAS been selected to start in the Ireland team to face Kazakhstan tomorrow.
The Nottingham Forest player is likely to operate on the wing, as he did during part of Ireland’s Euro 2012 group game against Spain.
James McClean had at one stage been favourite to start ahead of Cox, however he is still recovering from the effects of an illness, and seemingly has not been deemed fit enough to play.
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In addition, Toronto FC defender Darren O’Dea starts in defence, though it is unclear as of yet whether he will play at full-back or in the centre, with John O’Shea also capable of playing both roles.
Elsewhere, in the absence of Keith Andrews, Darron Gibson and Paul Green, there is a starting a place in midfield for highly-rated Wigan youngster James McCarthy.
Meanwhile, Robbie Keane and Jonathan Walters lead the line in attack, while Keiren Westwood plays in goal in the absence of Shay Given, who retired recently.
Ireland XI to play Kazakhstan: Westwood, O’Shea, St. Ledger, O’Dea, Ward, Whelan, McCarthy, McGeady, Cox, Walters, Keane.
Cox and O'Dea handed starts, as Ireland team to face Kazakhstan is announced
SIMON COX HAS been selected to start in the Ireland team to face Kazakhstan tomorrow.
The Nottingham Forest player is likely to operate on the wing, as he did during part of Ireland’s Euro 2012 group game against Spain.
James McClean had at one stage been favourite to start ahead of Cox, however he is still recovering from the effects of an illness, and seemingly has not been deemed fit enough to play.
In addition, Toronto FC defender Darren O’Dea starts in defence, though it is unclear as of yet whether he will play at full-back or in the centre, with John O’Shea also capable of playing both roles.
Elsewhere, in the absence of Keith Andrews, Darron Gibson and Paul Green, there is a starting a place in midfield for highly-rated Wigan youngster James McCarthy.
Meanwhile, Robbie Keane and Jonathan Walters lead the line in attack, while Keiren Westwood plays in goal in the absence of Shay Given, who retired recently.
More to follow.
Read: Travelling Irish soccer fans warned of Kazakhstan’s terrorism risk>
Read: Mourinho: Please don’t ask me about Cristiano’s sadness>
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CONFIRMED Darren O'Dea Darron Gibson Giovanni Trapattoni Ireland Kazakhstan Keith Andrews Simon Cox Spain