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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul O'Hehir

Republic of Ireland predicted team v Ukraine as Stephen Kenny set to resist sweeping changes to starting XI

Stephen Kenny will show loyalty to the bulk of his Armenian flops when they host Ukraine tonight.

The Republic of Ireland boss insists there is no reason to overreact to the brutal ‘kick in the teeth’ in Yerevan.

Ahead of the face saving mission at Aviva Stadium, at least seven of the team could retain their places.

Kenny said last night: “We’ve had a setback, but it doesn’t mean we’ll leave half of our team out because of it.

“We were on a good run of eight [unbeaten], winning numerous matches and players were scoring goals.

“I wouldn’t say there will be drastic changes. And someone who has played a match should be that much sharper.

“The four-day turnaround is not too drastic, as opposed to between Wednesday and Saturday, although we did have the travel in between.”

Cyrus Christie (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

Cyrus Christie is tipped to replace injured skipper Seamus Coleman at right-wing back and Troy Parrott looks vulnerable in attack after getting hooked in Yerevan.

Jason Knight is likely to replace him while Kenny must decide whether to play James McClean ahead of Enda Stevens at left wing-back.

Chiedozie Ogbene finished Saturday’s game at wing-back once Coleman limped off with a groin issue.

But Kenny prefers the Corkman - who is set to leave Rotherham after failing to agree a new contract - as an attacker.

Jeff Hendrick, Chiedozie Ogbene and Michael Obafemi dejected after the game (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

And that’s where he will be deployed against Ukraine, with Kenny stating: “Chiedozie has been in great form in the position that he has played in the front three.

“Consistently, he has been one of our better players over the last number of games. He gives us pace in the final third for sure and gives us a real cutting edge to our play.

"Certainly so against teams who come and play against you. As a wing back, he is still learning the position even though he plays there for his club. But they play differently.

"We find that he is more effective in a front three for us, for sure.”

Kenny is also hoping that his attacking substitutes pack a bigger punch off the bench tonight after a poor return in Armenia.

Michael Obafemi in particular was disappointing on his return from the cold after almost four years away from the team.

Kenny added: “One of the significant things that has helped us is that the impact of our substitutes has been positive.

“Jason Knight in Luxembourg, Troy Parrott against Lithuania, Alan Browne came on and scored against Belgium.

“If you go back, the substitutes have made a positive impact. Saturday was the first time that didn’t happen for us.

“It wasn’t that we faded (in attack). It was that they didn’t have the impact we wanted. That’s a criticism that can be levelled at us, for sure.”

IRELAND (probable team, 3-4-2-1): Kelleher; Collins, Duffy, Egan; Christie, Cullen, Hourihane, McClean; Knight, Ogbene, Robinson.

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