Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has made eight changes to the side that defeated Latvia on Friday night for tonight’s clash against Poland, with Shane Long coming in for Robbie Keane in attack.
Keane is absent with an Achilles problem that was described as “chronic” by Martin O’Neill ahead of tonight’s clash in Poznan, the scene of some harrowing defeats during a disastrous Euro 2012 campaign a little over a year ago.
Long scored after his introduction for Wes Hoolahan on Friday night and he has been brought in as one of eight changes to that side, with only Marc Wilson, James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady retaining their places in the starting XI.
Jonathan Walters captains the team from midfield alongside McCarthy, McGeady and Paul Green, with Anthony Stokes set to provide support for Long up front, while David Forde replaces Kieren Westwood in goal and Stephen Kelly, Sean St. Ledger and Stephen Ward come into the defence.
Ireland team to play Poland: Forde, Kelly, St Ledger, Wilson, Ward, Walters (captain), McCarthy, Green, McGeady, Stokes, Long
