Ireland Manager, Giovanni Trapattoni has unusually named a ten-man team for the first-leg play-offs with Estonia.With Kevin Doyle suspended and Shane Long injured, the major concern was who would play upfront.
Thankfully, Captain Robbie Keane has returned to form from injury with LA Galaxy to lead the side, the only question remains, who will start alongside him upfront.
Its a straight fight between West Brom's Simon Cox and Stoke's Jon Walters.
Both forwards are worth a starting place upfront but only one of them will get their name on the teamsheet.
Cox was Man of the Match against Armenia last month but it appears that Stoke's leading man Jonathon Walters is favourite with El Trapp due to his holding-up of the ball from defence to attack, his energy and physicality and prowess in front of goal, leading everyone to believe that he will today be handed a starting role against Estonia in Talinn at 7:45pm.
Trapattoni also suggested that Robbie Keane maybe withdrawn in the second-half due to his lack of match-sharpness in favour of Cox.
You have to say one thing about this Ireland Manager, he has provided options for this team in almost every position and the fact that we are favourites to win this play-off speaks volumns for the players & the Manager.
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