Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Shay Given, David Forde.
Key battle: David Forde v Keiren Westwood
ROB ELLIOT’S season-ending injury means an extra goalkeeping spot has become available. O’Neill picked Forde ahead of Westwood in the final squad ahead of the games against Switzerland and Slovakia, which suggests the Millwall stopper is currently his preferred choice. However, if Westwood keeps impressing for Sheffield Wednesday and Forde continues to be left out of the Millwall team, O’Neill’s loyalty to the latter may be tested.
Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ward, Robbie Brady, Ciaran Clark, John O’Shea.
Key battle: Marc Wilson v Shane Duffy
Every defender listed above is pretty much guaranteed a spot on the plane with the exception of Duffy and Wilson. On form, Duffy deserves to go, as he has impressed for both club and country this season. Nevertheless, if Stoke player Wilson proves his fitness between now and the end of the campaign (he is currently out with a long-term injury), he may travel at the Blackburn player’s expense, given his ability to cover left-back as well as centre-half.
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Harry Arter, Jeff Hendrick, Wes Hoolahan, Aiden McGeady, James McClean.
Key battle: Aiden McGeady v Alan Judge
Of the midfielders listed above, McGeady, Judge and Harry Arter are the only ones who aren’t certain of a place on the plane. Arter will likely compete with David Meyler for one of the reserve holding midfield spots and the Bournemouth man has two factors in his favour: he is playing at a higher level than Meyer and the Hull midfielder was poor in the game he started against Switzerland last week. Similarly, neither Judge nor McGeady were particularly impressive during the latest international week. Judge has undoubtedly had the better season at club level, but it’s been well documented how big a fan of McGeady O’Neill has been over the years, so it would be a huge surprise if he ultimately left out the Sheffield Wednesday winger, who will benefit from more game time as the season progresses.
Forwards: Daryl Murphy, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle.
Key battle: Kevin Doyle v Adam Rooney
Keane, Murphy, Long and Walters will all surely travel barring injury, while Doyle is the most likely man to join them. Though he picked up an injury early on against Switzerland, Doyle showed enough in his short time on the field to suggest there is life in the old legs yet. Consequently, given his pace, experience and aerial ability, O’Neill is likely to opt for the Colorado Rapids player over Rooney, who has still yet to win a cap at senior level for Ireland, with an unfortunately timed injury preventing the 27-year-old forward from making his international debut over the past week.
Standby: Keiren Westwood, Shane Duffy, David Meyler, Alan Judge, Adam Rooney.
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