The Republic of Ireland will return to action this week, facing Greece and Gibraltar in Euro 2024 qualifiers over the coming days.
While the team's chances of qualifying for the tournament in Germany are looking increasingly slim, they will be hoping to bounce back from the defeats against France and the Netherlands last month with two wins this time around. That will be the minimum requirement if Stephen Kenny is have to any hopes of retaining his job beyond the end of the current campaign.
With that in mind, what sort of team should Ireland select against Greece?
Here's what we would go with.
The Ireland Team We Want To See Against Greece
GK: Gavin Bazunu
Gavin Bazunu is the clear choice to start in goal for this game, especially with the news that Caoimhín Kelleher is missing due to injury.
The Dubliner experienced a difficult start to the season at Southampton, although he has bounced back well in recent weeks.
CB: Dara O'Shea
Dara O'Shea has been in and out of the Burnley side in recent times, with Vincent Kompany's team finding the going rather tough since their return to the Premier League.
Still, O'Shea has always performed when called upon by Ireland and is a natural fit on the right of the back three.
CB: Nathan Collins
Nathan Collins is one of the first names on the Ireland team sheet at the moment, having excelled at both club and international level over the last couple of years.
With Seamus Coleman and John Egan missing through injury, and with Shane Duffy not making out preferred XI, the Kildare man would be the natural choice to captain the side.
CB: Liam Scales
It's time for Liam Scales to make his international debut.
The defender has been in exceptional form for Celtic this season, establishing himself as a key player under Brendan Rodgers in recent times. He has been playing in a back four in Glasgow, but the left of a back three arguably suits his skillset even better.
Scales has been part of a few Ireland squads, but has yet to feature for the team. That needs to change on Friday.
RWB: Festy Ebosele
Matt Doherty will probably start here, but we would be very tempted to go with Festy Ebosele.
Whereas Doherty has been given limited playing time since his return to Wolves, Ebosele is playing week in, week out in Serie A for Udinese. While he may be unproven at international level, Doherty has been in poor form for Ireland over the last few international windows.
It might be time to change things up in this position.
LWB: Ryan Manning
Left wingback is also set to undergo a change, with James McClean, Callum O'Dowda, Enda Stevens, and Robbie Brady all absent from the squad.
Stephen Kenny has been hesitant to use Ryan Manning in the past, but he surely has to be the choice for this fixture. There is also the possibility that he could play Scales here, although we would prefer to see him in the back three.
CM: Josh Cullen
Josh Cullen has found the going rather tough this season at Burnley, while his form for Ireland hasn't quite hit the heights you would expect over the last couple of international windows.
In saying that, he remains an integral part to this team and should be in the starting XI against the Greeks.
CM: Will Smallbone
Jayson Molumby has been a favourite of Stephen Kenny's, but his lack of improvement in possession has caused issues for Ireland in recent fixtures.
Will Smallbone may not have the running power of the West Brom man, although he does offer a lot more on the ball. His set-piece delivery is also an added bonus to have in the side, with the Southampton man having displayed in the past that he is capable of crafting scoring opportunities on a consistent basis.
FW: Chiedozie Ogbene
Chiedozie Ogbene has not been in the Luton Town team every week, but he has usually impressed when given the opportunity, including during the weekend's game against Spurs.
The winger has been one of Ireland's most consistent performers over the last 18 months or so and offers something different to the side with his blistering pace.
FW: Jason Knight
Jason Knight could slight in as a central midfielder or play slightly further up the pitch, something he did against the Dutch in Dublin last month. In any case, he deserves his place in the team due to his work rate and club form since the start of the season.
If he can add a bit more threat in the attacking third to his game, he will be very difficult to shift from the starting XI.
ST: Evan Ferguson
There's no doubt about this one. If Evan Ferguson is fit, he starts. It's as simple as that.
While he may only be 18-years old, the team should be built around him. Stephen Kenny has to do everything he can to get the best out of him, whether that relates to tactics or the players he puts around the youngster.
The Team In Full
That starting XI would represent six changes to the Ireland team that lost to the Netherlands last month, and while it may in experienced, it is one that is largely picked based on the squad members who have shown the most form over the last few weeks.
It will be interesting to see if Stephen Kenny would be willing to make such sweeping changes.
SEE ALSO: Possible Euro 2028 Qualifying Format Would Be Brilliant News For Ireland
