Even accounting for injuries, there is plenty of competition for places in the Irish midfield ahead of the game against Serbia in midweek.
Conor Hourihane and James McCarthy are both unavailable, but a number of younger players are putting their hands up for selection.
Jason Knight looks nailed on to be in the team after a stellar campaign at Derby, while Josh Cullen could also start after thriving since his summer move to Anderlecht.
Preston pair Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby are also in contention. Stephen Kenny is a big fan of Browne, while he also gave Molumby his international debut last year.
The latter joined his current club on loan in January, and while he put in some strong performance after moving, he has found himself out of the team in recent times.
Speaking to members of the media yesterday, Browne said that he had been very impressed his new club teammate and that he had perhaps been unlucky to be dropped in recent times.
Yeah I was really impressed with him. I think when I first seen him play was playing against him with Millwall sometime last year, then I obviously got more of a taste with him in the Irish setup.
Since he's come to Preston he has been top class, his work-rate, his ability on the ball. He is fantastic.
When you come on loan, it's either a case of you play every game or you're the one that's taken out when things go against you.
Unfortunately for him, things have been going against us big time. We haven't been doing well enough and it has probably affected him and he has probably been taken out of the team unfairly at times.
As I said, he has been brilliant since he has come.
Preston manager Alex Neil lost his job over the weekend, so it remains to be seen if whoever replaces him will immediately reinstate Molumby into the team.
As for Browne, he said he is hoping to become more of a leader in the Ireland setup having worn the armband at club level on a number of occasions in the last 12 months.
He looks likely to start in Belgrade, although it remains to be seen in what position. The Cork man's versatility has perhaps hindered his chances of nailing down a place in the side, but he sees himself as a number ten.
Stephen Kenny has previously said the same, although Browne is happy to play in any position.
I think being as versatile as I have been has probably been a good time in that if people are unavailable I can fill in.
My preferred position is playing in the number ten. I'm probably a bit different to your modern day number ten, I make run off the ball and in behinds, open up defences that way. I always get into the box and try and get on the end of things.
That would be my preferred position in my opinion, my best position. Whether the manager sees me in that position here is up to him. I'm happy to play wherever I'm put...
In the past he did speak to me about playing in that position and in other positions, but unfortunately it was a case of injuries or covid cases, that didn't really help.
It was a tough one to judge because he didn't get a chance to see me there and I didn't get much of a chance to play there.
It will interesting to see what he thinks about that.
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