It may seem like it only just ended, but Martin O'Neill is back from his post-Euros holiday and ready to start preparations towards qualifying for Russia 2018.
The Republic of Ireland face Oman in a friendly next month, with the Ireland boss expected to name an enlarged panel which should feature some exciting new faces. It won't include the likes of Shay Given - who has retired from international football a second time, but the squad will be instructive for the names that we are likely to see over the next campaign.
Harry Arter is finally expected to make his second cap for Ireland in the friendly, and another cap should be expected for exciting winger Callum O'Dowda - who impressed against Belarus before the Euros. O'Dowda has since moved to Championship Bristol City as he looks to continue his development.
Two other names that we have mentioned in the past - Scott Hogan and Eoghan O'Connell - are the likeliest fresh faces that we can be excited about. O'Connell has been impressive for Celtic in pre-season, scoring this belter, and he will be trying to shake off the moniker of being Paul O'Connell's cousin. Hogan was almost a bolter for the Euros, but the Brentford striker who finished last season with seven goals in seven games (two starts) under the watchful eye of Roy Keane, could be called into the squad for the first time against the 106th ranked Oman team. Hogan has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Leicester City.
See Also: Paul O'Connell's Cousin Has Scored A Beauty For Celtic Against Leicester
Whether Robbie Keane or John O'Shea are included in the squad is yet to be determined. O'Shea is expected to miss the Oman friendly, but return for the Serbian qualifier the following week; with Shane Duffy suspended for that game after his red card against France.
We'll find out very soon. The future begins now.
See Also: The Two Strikers That Ireland Fans May Be Pinning Our Hopes On In 2018
Photo by David Maher / Sportsfile
