David McGoldrick returns to lead the line tonight and Mick McCarthy is convinced Ireland are a better team with him involved.
The Sheffield United forward, 31, missed last month’s games against Georgia and Switzerland because of a groin injury.
James Collins started in Tbilisi and Geneva but was unable to make a serious impact in either game.
Aaron Connolly caught the eye off the bench in Georgia and could have won it late on, but then struggled on his first start away to the Swiss days later.
As it happens, Brighton starlet Connolly is injured for tonight’s Danish showdown and the spotlight returns to McGoldrick, who is a confirmed starter.
He only has one international goal to his name - at home to the Swiss in September - but has arguably been Ireland’s most impressive performer in this campaign.
‘Didsy’’ played under McCarthy at Ipswich, so little wonder the Ireland boss is such a fan but he believes the team functions better with him in it.
"We play better - and I'm not being disrespectful to the lads we've got - but he's the best centre forward that we have at this moment in time,” said McCarthy.
“He's playing well for his club and it's beneficial to us to have him in the team and we can play better off him."
McCarthy continued: “There might be others who end up as good as him. Troy (Parrott) might end up as good as him. He’s not at the moment.
“Didsy is a really good technical player and aligns that with hard work and determination.
“All of a sudden he’s become one of the star performers. Having him back is a real boost. “
McGoldrick has attributed his upturn in fortunes to a happier home life. He no longer has a 200-mile round trip between Ipswich and Nottingham to see his family.
McCarthy continued: “He’s now living in Nottingham with his family and I can testify that when you’re around your kids all the time, you’re a lot happier.”
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