Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has named his team to take on Serbia in Belgrade this evening.
The most eye-catching part of the side is the inclusion of both Seamus Coleman and Matt Doherty, with the pair starting together for the first time under Kenny. It looks as though Ireland will use a 3-5-2 formation, with the Everton man filling in at right centre back.
Mark Travers will make his competitive debut in goal, with another big call being made at centre back where the form of Shane Duffy was a concern. The Celtic man has not been selected, with Dara O'Shea and Ciaran Clark in at the back along with Coleman.
In midfield, Josh Cullen has been handed a first competitive start for Ireland, where he will partnered by Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby.
Aaron Connolly and Callum Robinson are the players to be selected up front.
Troy Parrott, Ryan Manning, Ronan Curtis, and Conor Coventry have been left out of the matchday squad.
Here is the team in full.
TEAM NEWS | Serbia v Ireland
▪️ Seamus Coleman & Matt Doherty start
▪️ Aaron Connolly & Callum Robinson start up front
▪️ Cullen, Molumby & Browne start in midfield
A new look Ireland for a new campaign 🙌
COME ON BOYS! 🇮🇪#WEAREONE | #COYBIG | #SRBIRL pic.twitter.com/csTxkpEMuY— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 24, 2021
This is a team short on goals at international level, boasting only seven between them.
A good start in this campaign will be key if Ireland are to harbour any hopes of reaching the World Cup in Qatar next year, making this a big game.
The two sides were in the same group for the last World Cup qualifying campaign, with Ireland managing a 2-2 draw in Belgrade, before losing 1-0 in the return tie.
Stephen Kenny will also be hoping for his first win in charge of the senior national team, having failed to win any of his eight games in charge thus far. The side have scored only one goal in that time.
Hopefully things will change this evening.
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