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22nd March 2018
03:55pm GMT

Colin Doyle is pretty much a cert to start between the posts. Captain Seamus Coleman will make his return to right-back almost a year to the day after suffering that double leg-break against Wales. Shane Duffy will definitely get the nod at centre-half and is likely to be partnered by Declan Rice, who has impressed recently for West Ham.
With Stephen Ward not part of the squad, Dublin-born Sheffield United Enda Stevens looks the most likely candidate to fill the left-back slot.
Given his outstanding form towards the latter stages of the World Cup qualifying campaign, David Meyler is sure to start in the holding role in midfield. Jeff Hendrick should also start in the centre, while Conor Hourihane is expected to come and add creativity to the midfield in this post-Wes era. Hourihane is having a fine season with Aston Villa.
Although Sean Maguire is pushing hard for a start after a flurry of goals for Preston recently, O'Neill may stick with the more experienced Shane Long for the first-half. Maguire is expected to feature heavily though so he could replace the Saints striker at half-time. James McClean is almost guaranteed to start on the left while Matt Doherty, enjoying a stellar season with Championship-topping Wolves, looks a safe bet to be deployed on the opposite flank.Explore more on these topics: