LAST UPDATE | 11 Nov 2024

THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland have been forced to make three squad changes for the Nations League double header with Finland and England this week.

Injury has ruled out captain Seamus Coleman, centre back Shane Duffy and striker Adam Idah.

Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has opted to recall Matt Doherty and drafted in Ryan Manning and Jake O’Brien.

Squad update | A trio of changes as Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy & Adam Idah are ruled out of the squad through injury

Ryan Manning, Jake O’Brien & Matt Doherty all join up for our two UEFA Nations League fixtures 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/6eqfcmAXQV

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 11, 2024

Meanwhile, assistant manager John O’Shea handled media duties this afternoon, and he did not confirm that Festy Ebosele would be fit to face Finland on Thursday: Ebosele has linked up with the squad but was withdrawn from Watford’s win over Oxford last Friday. 

“Festy hopefully will be able to take part in training tomorrow”, said O’Shea, “but we’ll assess him this afternoon and we’ll wait and see how he goes. He has been in fantastic form for his club so hopefully we can get him fit and ready for Thursday.” 

On Duffy’s absence following a recall to the squad last week, O’Shea said,  “a tough one for him, as he’s got back in and playing well, but has been carrying on with a bit of an issue which is unfortunate, but it is what it is.” 

There were only 10 players available for training this morning, with the majority of the squad prioritising recovery having played for their clubs at the weekend. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson did bring the squad through a video session, stressing the importance of playing on the front foot against Finland regardless of the score. 

Hallgrimsson raised this issue with the media last week, pointing out that his team’s best spells in games have come when they have fallen behind. “Once we had nothing to lose, we were really good”, said the Irish boss. 

“To be more expressive and stronger in our play right from the start of games; psychologically, making sure you’re on the front foot right from the off and not needing a setback to fire the system up, so to speak”, said O’Shea when asked for the week’s main message. 

Sammie Szmodics, sitting beside O’Shea, chimed in agreement. 

“We are focusing on starting first halves like we are starting second halves”, said the Ipswich striker. We touched on it in the meeting this morning, starting the game as well as we finish.”

Coleman’s absence will be a blow for Hallgrímsson who had also called up Norwich City’s Duffy for the first time.

While no like for like replacement was made for Celtic frontman Idah, the Ireland boss was at least able to draft in three Premier League players.

The return of Doherty is most interesting given he was dropped for the last international window in October and was initially omitted this time around, while Southampton’s Manning and Everton’s O’Brien have got the nod.

“The boss would have spoken to Matt and it was straightforward”, replied O’Shea when asked if the recall of Doherty involved an awkward phonecall.

A win for Ireland against Finland in Dublin on Thursday will ensure they avoid automatic relegation from League B and will instead most likely mean a play-off with one of the sides that finishes as runner-up in League C.

With reporting by Gavin Cooney