Republic of Ireland Squad Changes: Coleman, Duffy, and Idah Withdrawn, Doherty Recalled

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman will miss the upcoming Nations League matches against Finland and England. Defender Shane Duffy of Norwich City and forward Adam Idah from Celtic have also been removed from Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad. Matt Doherty of Wolves has been recalled to provide cover, and Everton’s Jake O’Brien along with Southampton’s Ryan Manning have also been called up. The Republic of Ireland is scheduled to host Finland on Thursday, followed by an away match against England at Wembley for their concluding Nations League fixture on Sunday, 17 November. Coleman suffered a foot injury during the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League opening match against England in Dublin in September. The 36-year-old made it back to the Everton bench in mid-October but has not yet played for Sean Dyche’s team. Although initially selected for the Irish squad, Coleman has now been replaced by Doherty, who had previously been out of favor with new manager Hallgrimsson. Manning, from Southampton, provides an additional full-back option, while Everton’s centre-back O’Brien has been brought in to cover for Duffy. After four matches in League B Group 2, the Irish team currently ranks third, trailing Greece and England, with their only win achieved away against last-placed Finland. Regarding Doherty’s inclusion on Monday, O’Shea stated: “The boss would have spoken to Matt and it was straightforward. In terms of that experience that’s needed around the group, he’s one of the elder statesmen as well and it’s important to have that experience of lads who have been around the group for a long time. It’s getting the balance right and trying the newer players in different positions, getting the balance of that right over the next few games and planning going forward.” Norwich defender Duffy had been recalled to the squad despite having made only a single appearance for the Irish team in the past 12 months, while Robbie Brady is unavailable due to an ankle injury. “Shane was back in and loses out unfortunately, so there’s three really experienced players, and you’re coming into two really important games, Finland in particular which we know we have to get the right result in that game and then we can focus on England. Shane got back into the Norwich team, had a couple of injuries, and then got back in and was playing really well, and then unfortunately he just picked up that little issue that will keep him out of this camp.” Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City). Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolves), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City). Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Andy Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion). Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tom Cannon (Stoke City, on loan from Leicester City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).