Ireland's Defensive Reshuffle Ahead of UEFA Nations League
Séamus Coleman and Nathan Collins are out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the opening UEFA Nations League window – and that leaves room for a defensive reshuffle built around fresh faces.
Collins, the captain, had been a major doubt since limping off in the first half of Brentford's 1-1 draw at Sunderland on 5 September. Brentford manager Keith Andrews later confirmed a calf injury, with the centre-back not expected back until after the international break. The decision has now been made: he stays with his club to recover.
Coleman misses out too. The veteran right back, a pillar of the national side for over a decade, is currently without a club, as is long-time team-mate Robbie Brady. For the first time in years, an Ireland squad list lands without either of them in it. The dressing-room dynamic changes in an instant.
New blood at the back
Into that void steps Liam Kitching. The left-sided centre-back, on loan at Sheffield United from Coventry City, receives his first senior call-up. He helped Coventry win promotion to the Premier League last season, then dropped back into the Championship on a season-long loan at Bramall Lane after 1 September. Now, he’s handed an international opening in a line that suddenly looks short on experience.
Joel Bagan also gets his chance. The Cardiff City defender, comfortable at left back, had been named in the May squad for the friendly against Grenada but had to pull out through injury. This time he makes it, offering natural cover on the left and another option in a back line that has lost both its captain and its most seasoned full-back.
Up front, there’s another uncapped name: Owen Elding. The Hibernian forward, once of Sligo Rovers, is in the frame for a debut cap during what promises to be a demanding four-game block.
Injury list grows
Collins is far from the only absentee. Evan Ferguson (ankle) and Josh Cullen (knee) are longer-term casualties and miss out again. Mikey Johnston and Jack Taylor are sidelined with ankle and knee problems respectively, while Queens Park Rangers defender Jimmy Dunne picked up a muscular injury earlier this month.
Dunne is still listed among the defenders, but his recent setback underlines how stretched the pool has become. Ireland enter this Nations League campaign with their spine dented and their leaders missing, relying instead on players still carving out their place in the squad.
A testing four-game window
The schedule is unforgiving. Ireland open away to Kosovo at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina next Thursday. Three days later they move to Debrecen, Hungary, to face Israel on the Sunday.
Then comes a marquee night in Dublin. Austria visit the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, in what should be the sternest test of the window. The group then closes with a ‘home’ fixture that is anything but familiar: Israel again, this time behind closed doors at Backa Topola in Serbia on Sunday, 4 October.
Neutral venues, empty stands, and a patched-up squad. It is hardly a gentle start.
Full squad
- Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Max O'Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers)
- Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), John Egan (Hull City), Liam Kitching (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic)
- Midfielders: Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
- Forwards: Owen Elding (Hibernian), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Jack Moylan (Cardiff City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City), Troy Parrott (Real Betis), Rocco Vata (Watford), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)
With Coleman and Collins watching from afar and a cluster of youngsters stepping into the light, this Nations League campaign may say as much about Ireland’s next generation as it does about their immediate results.
