Ireland team v Greece: Predicted starting XI for Euro…

Ireland team v Greece: Predicted starting XI for Euro 2024 qualifier in Athens

Stephen Kenny has no late injury concerns going into Ireland's Euro 2024 qualifying clash with Greece.

The Boys in Green face Gus Poyet's side at the Opap Stadium in Athens as they aim to record a big away win.

All 25-players trained on Thursday and while Alan Browne is only just returning from a knee ligament injury shipped in April, he has been passed fit and is in contention.

Kenny hailed the injury free run over the course of the week in Antalya and now Athens and said: “That was one of our main objectives.

“It’s always a concern with the six-week gap (from the end of the Championship season) for players who haven’t been playing is to over-do it and do too much.

“One of our clear objectives was to get everyone here fit so credit to the backroom team that that is the case and we have everyone available.”

Gavin Bazunu is expected to start in goal while John Egan will captain the team in Seamus Coleman’s absence.

Gavin Bazunu (Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

Nathan Collins is also a shoe-in to start in the back three with Dara O’Shea battling it out with Darragh Lenihan for the other spot.

O’Shea would ordinarily be an automatic pick but suffered a knee injury at the end of March that was going to rule him out for the season.

But the West Brom ace made a quicker than expected recovery and Kenny must weigh up whether to start him or Middlesbrough regular Lenihan, who has just three caps.

Josh Cullen will anchor midfield with both Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby expected to start either side of him in a midfield three.

Matt Doherty looks set to beat Browne to the right-wing back berth with Callum O’Dowda expected to get the nod on the other side ahead of James McClean.

Aside from O’Shea, Kenny’s other big call is up front with who partners teenager Evan Ferguson in attack.

Michael Obafemi would bring rapid pace to the party but Kenny is a long-time admirer of Adam Idah and he could win out.

Kenny said: “We are looking for that historic away win, that’s our objective. Greece have a very good home record and we respect that.

“Nothing will be easy, we will have to fight for everything.”

Probable Ireland team (3-5-2)

Bazunu

Collins, Egan, O'Shea

Doherty, Knight, Cullen, Molumby, O'Dowda

Ferguson, Idah

Probable Greece team (4-3-3)

Vlachodimos

Baldock, Hatzidiakos, Mavropanos, Tsimikas