Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has hinted he could start both Matt Doherty and captain Seamus Coleman in tonight’s World Cup qualifying opener.
They kick off their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign away to Serbia tonight (Wednesday).
Kenny yesterday confirmed that Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers will make his competitive debut in goal – owing to Darren Randolph’s injury.
However, the make-up of the rest of Kenny’s starting lineup remains unclear.
The previous manager Mick McCarthy found it difficult to accommodate both Doherty and Duffy in the same lineup, with both players playing right-back for their clubs.
But the current boss says it makes sense to have two of his best players on the pitch.
“Well you know there’s a few different ways they could be accommodated, in the interest of not giving too much away to the opposition, I think it would be foolish of me to do that in relation to the game, obviously they are two of our better players, you have to find a way of getting the best out of our best players that’s the job,” said Kenny.
The kick-off at the Red Star Stadium is at 7.45 pm.
At the same time, Group A favourites Portugal plays host to Azerbaijan.
Wales also begins their qualification campaign tonight with a difficult Group E game away to Belgium.
However, they will once again be without manager Ryan Giggs on the sidelines.
Giggs has been on leave since he was arrested on suspicion of assault last November.