Town trio Sammie Szmodics, Dara O’Shea and Chiedozie Ogbene are all in the Republic of Ireland squad facing England in their first UEFA Nations League international at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin this evening (ITV1, KO 5pm).

Szmodics has previously won four full caps, while O’Shea has picked up 26 and Ogbene 20, scoring four goals.

New Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson is a big fan of Szmodics, as is his assistant John O’Shea, who was previously in interim charge of the squad.

“On the pitch, maybe his directness is what really pleases me,” Hallgrímsson said last week.

“He is really direct, he’s unafraid going forward, taking players on, quick-thinking, speed in him and, like John said, a lot of confidence.”

O’Shea added: “The manager will soon see the type of personality and player he is in training but also around the place. He’s just infectious.

“He wants to do things right on and off the pitch, he wants to take advantage of the flourishing career he’s having at the minute.

“I think he’s going to be an important player for the team over the next few years. You can already see the confidence he’s bringing.

“Knowing Sammie, obviously he got his goal against [Manchester] City, but the clean strike of the finish, he wouldn’t have been too happy, knowing how he likes to hit the bottom of the net, bottom corner. It was a brilliant start and hopefully it continues.”

Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble

irishtim added 10:35 - Sep 7 All three will probably start. Going to be very tough for us. Just hope all fans will enjoy and no hassle..
1

ArnieM added 10:40 - Sep 7 Just dont get injured!!!
4

Cadiar added 10:50 - Sep 7 A goal for each of them & send England home with their tale between their legs.
1

jayceee added 11:04 - Sep 7 I'm English - is it wrong to be conflicted about who I want to win here?
4

bobble added 12:38 - Sep 7 Will be a lot of irish players on the pitch if you include the ones england stole, probably worth a punt of $50 on an irishman scoring the first goal seing as there will be so many on the pitch
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NITFC added 12:54 - Sep 7 ....only one of which is actually Irish...... .....and the Irish fans will be giving Grealish and Rice stick.......who are also not Irish it's a strange World
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NITFC added 14:38 - Sep 7 Bobble. Which Irish born players did England steal?
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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 15:40 - Sep 7 Um, England took back the Englishman that Ireland was stealing! Speaking of nationalities, didn't realise Colchester was part of Ireland.
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jayceee added 16:12 - Sep 7 Confirmed - all three starting.
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Lukeybluey added 16:18 - Sep 7 Hope the lads do well. On a separate note, just seen we are reportedly looking to sign Dennis Praet who is a free agent...
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jayceee added 16:21 - Sep 7 Looks like he's already signed for Royal Antwerp, Lukeybluey.
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Lukeybluey added 16:28 - Sep 7 Ahh, didnt see that Jayceee. Cheers!
1

Bezzer added 18:35 - Sep 7 Hope Ogbene comes off soon! They rely on him for every attack! We could do with him resting now.
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