LONG TO LEAD THE LINE

IRELAND have a full deck to pick from tonight after no late injury concerns.

Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliott flew back to England yesterday because of a family bereavement.

He has been replaced by Bradford City’s Colin Doyle, who was involved in training last week but was cut before the squad departed for Copenhagen.

Hull City midfielder David Meyler returns from suspension and is expected to step back into the team for Callum O’dowda.

Meyler and Harry Arter are the likely holding midfielders with Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick and James Mcclean the attacking three behind a lone striker. Daryl Murphy started up front in Copenhagen on Saturday but struggled to impact the game, although service into him was non-existent.

Shane Long came off the bench for the final 15 minutes and is tipped to start tonight in the hope of preoccupying the Danish centre-backs.

Ireland’s back five of Darren Randolph, Cyrus Christie, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark and Stephen Ward is unlikely to change.

“They’re ready for the game, physically and mentally which is as important as anything,” said manager Martin O’neill.