Evan Ferguson returns in Ireland attack to face Greece as Liam Scales makes international debut

Evan Ferguson returns to the Ireland starting XI for tonight's Euro 2024 qualifier against Greece at the Aviva Stadium, while Liam Scales will make his international debut in defence.

The teenage striker missed the last two games against France and the Netherlands in September through injury, but now the fully fit Brighton striker will start against Gus Poyet's side.

Stephen Kenny appears to be setting his team out with a four-man defence, which is a change to the usual three at the back, as Nathan Collins and Shane Duffy look set to marshal the centre, while Matt Doherty and Liam Scales would take up the right and left full-back rolls in such a formation.

Kenny may have opted for full backs in tonight's game to thwart the Greek wide players who caused Ireland real problems in the reverse game in Athens, however, he has the personnel to set up with a three-man defence.

Doherty will be looking for an element of revenge having received a red card when the sides met in June, while the Wolves man also felt that there was an element of playacting within the Greece team in the Athens' match.

Chiedozie Ogbene has been selected to start and may take up a wide attacking role, with Jason Knight and Will Smallbone also starting in what appears to be a very attack-minded formation from the manager.

Josh Cullen and Alan Browne will line out in midfield, while Gavin Bazunu will remain in goal, as expected.

Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu; Matt Doherty, Shane Duffy, Nathan Collins, Liam Scales; Josh Cullen, Alan Browne, Jason Knight, Chiedozie Ogbene, Will Smallbone; Evan Ferguson

Greece: Odysseas Vlachodimos; Lazaros Rota, Kostas Tsimikas, Panagiotis Retsos, Konstantinos Mavropanos; Dimitris Kourbelis, Tasos Bakasetas (capt), Petros