Five talking points ahead of Republic of Ireland’s Nations League tie with Ukraine

The Republic of Ireland will attempt to bounce back from their disappointment in Armenia as they welcome Nations League rivals Ukraine to the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Stephen Kenny’s men lost 1-0 in Yerevan in a game they had high hopes of winning to end their drought in the competition and – on paper at least – Oleksandr Petrakov’s men represent significantly-stronger opposition despite their heart-breaking World Cup exit in Wales.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the game.

With Matt Doherty unavailable for selection through injury, skipper Seamus Coleman’s absence with a groin problem leaves a sizeable hole for Kenny to plug on the right side of his defence. The Everton man operated as a wing-back in Yerevan, a position which could be occupied by specialists Cyrus Christie or the uncapped Festy Ebosele, although Kenny has hinted he could also contemplate a more-inventive solution.

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