BRIGHTON’S IRISH MIDFIELDER Richie Towell has been handed the opportunity to showcase his talent in today’s FA Cup third round clash against MK Dons.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton has named the former Dundalk star in his starting XI, giving Towell just his third senior appearance since signing for Brighton in November 2015.
Towell bagged 29 goals in an impressive final season with Dundalk, which earned him a move to the Championship club.
The 2015 PFAI Player of the Year was part of the Brighton side who lost 1-0 to Hull City in the FA Cup 12 months ago, while his only other appearance for the club was as a second-half subtitute in the 2-0 playoff defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last May.
The 25-year-old hasn’t seen a minute of action so far this season, with a knee injury hampering his start to the campaign.
Towell did impress for the club’s U23 side since he made his return to fitness in November, scoring in his Football League Trophy outings against Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon.
Elsewhere, Rafa Benitez will hand Irish international Daryl Murphy a rare start for Newcastle against Birmingham today on a busy weekend of FA Cup action.
Murphy has had a frustrating start to his career on Tyneside since his summer move from Ipswich Town.
Marc Wilson, who has only featured in two EFL Cup games for Bournemouth so far this season, starts against Millwall.
Earlier today promising Ireland underage international Liam Kelly caught the eye in Reading’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in Old Trafford.
Kelly played on the right of Reading’s front three and looked dangerous in possession.
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