James McClean and Matt Doherty recalled for Ireland's Dutch test
Matt Doherty and James McClean come into the Ireland team as Stephen Kenny plots a victory against Netherlands at Aviva Stadium to save his Euro campaign and job.
Absent from Thursday’s 2-0 defeat in France due an additional match suspension for his red card against Greece, Doherty returns as the team’s right-wing back.
That facilitates the switch of Alan Browne from that berth into midfield, replacing Jayson Molumby as Josh Cullen’s partner. A calf injury sustained by Enda Stevens in Paris leaves a vacancy at left-back for Wrexham recruit James McClean to fill.
The Dutch were relieved that Nathan Aké recovered from the hamstring tweak that forced him off at half-time against Greece on Thursday. They were leading 3-0 by that stage and it stayed that way as they saw out their second win of the campaign.
Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen will lead the attack, coming in as a straight swap for Wout Weghorst.
Matthijs de Ligt, Mats Wieffer and Mats Wieffer come into Ronald Koeman’s side.
Kick-off is 7.45pm.
IRELAND: Gavin Bazunu; Nathan Collins, Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty, Josh Cullen, Alan Browne, James McClean; Chiedozie Ogbene, Jason Knight; Adam Idah.
NETHERLANDS: Mark Flekken; Matthijs de Ligt, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Aké; Denzel Dumphries, Frenkie de Jong, Mats Wieffer, Daley Blind; Xavi Simons, Cody Gapko; Donyell Malen.
Referee: Irfan Peljto (BIH).
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