Eileen Gleeson turns to old faces in search for new solutions

The Republic of Ireland took in one of Taylor Swift's Dublin gigs last weekend to help them shake off the cobwebs and build up morale. No harm to lose yourself in the American megastar's litany of hits ahead of another daunting Euro 2025 qualification window.

Head coach Eileen Gleeson has leaned on experience in search of attacking answers as her side look to end the campaign with some points on the board. Galway United's 33-year-old versatile midfielder Julie Ann-Russell makes the squad for the first time in four years, while speedy winger Marissa Sheva comes in from the cold having been completely overlooked since last summer's World Cup.

The suspended Katie McCabe will miss the trip to face England on Friday 12 July, and with Heather Payne (achilles) and first-choice striker Kyra Carusa (torn hamstring) definitely out, it's hard to see where the goals are going to come from.

Ireland have failed to hit the net in their last six matches; the 6-1 win against Northern Ireland before Christmas was the last time they made hay - McCabe, Payne and Carusa all scored at Windsor Park that night.

They've lost all four of their Euro qualifiers to date and have already been relegated back to League B for next year's UEFA Nations League, but Gleeson's charges are guaranteed a place in the autumn's two-legged play-offs, and will be seeded for the semi-finals where they'll face a League C team.

They must avoid two heavy defeats against England and France this month to ensure their overall rankings are strong enough to keep hold of a seeded place for the play-off final, should they get there.

It's a typically convoluted UEFA system that will, mercifully, become clearer once the qualifying group stages are done and dusted. The play-off draw