In a timely boost, Republic of Ireland captain Séamus Coleman is fit to join Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad ahead of Nations League games against England and Greece next month in Dublin.
Coleman, who missed 23 of Stephen Kenny’s 40 games in charge through injury, recovered from a calf issue to play 67 minutes for Everton in the EFL Cup defeat of Doncaster on Tuesday evening.
Evan Ferguson is also expected to make the squad, having made the Brighton and Hove Albion bench against Crawley Town this week. The teenager has scored three goals in 12 caps for his country.
Doubts remain, however, about Josh Cullen’s availability as the Burnley midfielder is nursing an unspecified injury. Scott Parker, the Burnley manager, has indicated that Cullen needs to feature against Blackburn Rovers this Saturday before being released for international duty.
Irishman Morgan McSweeney: the softly-spoken chief of staff to Keir Starmer now facing questions
Malachy Clerkin: Mayo’s decision to oust Kevin McStay was fair enough but the way they did it was foul
Pro-Israel countries to block Irish efforts to sanction Israel at EU summit
Brothers behind Irish franchises of Starbucks and TGI Fridays banned from acting as company directors
Ireland play England on Saturday, September 7th, followed by Greece on Tuesday, September 10th. Both games are on in the Aviva Stadium.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
