Ireland are set for a trip to Wembley this Sunday when they’ll take on England in the return leg of their Nations League clash.
While the last time these two sides met in the Aviva Stadium in September was a rout, Ireland’s chances heading into this clash have taken quite the boost as England’s injury list hits eight stars.
In what was Heimir Hallgrímsson’s first game in charge of the Irish football team, it was the country’s two former stars Declan Rice and Jack Grealish who put us to the gun, netting two goals in the opening twenty-five minutes to make for a long hour of football in front of the sold-out Aviva.
However, with a few games under his belt, Hallgrímsson is starting to make his mark on a team that’ll be much more settled than they were two months ago.
Couple that with the outrageously large injury list coming from across the pond and Ireland should certainly be in a stronger position than they were for their 2-0 loss to England in September.
7 September 2024; Jack Grealish, left, and Declan Rice of England celebrate after the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
England squad update bodes well for Ireland
What is good news for Heimir Hallgímsson, is unfortunate news for former Irish international Lee Carsley who will remain in situ as England’s interim manager for the clash against Ireland.
Already, Carsley has seen eight of his most accomplished players made unavailable through injury, with both September’s scorers, Jack Grealish and Declan Rice among the stars ruled out for Ireland’s trip to Wembley.
Carsley will also be without Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold and in-form Arsenal man Bukayo Saka.
7 September 2024; Bukayo Saka of England during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill are also ruled out of both England’s match versus Greece on Thursday and Ireland on Sunday.
Finally, the hefty list of injuries is finished off by Phil Foden and Aaron Ramsdale who won’t be available for this week’s games.
While Ireland’s woes aren’t as drastic, Heimir Hallgrímsson hasn’t been spared injuries himself, with Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, and Adam Idah all pulling out of the original squad Heimir announced.
They’ll be replaced by Ryan Manning, Jake O’Brien and Matt Doherty who have all joined up with the Ireland squad ahead of this week’s games.
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