Jason Knight ready to answer Ireland call to man-mark Mbappe

Jason Knight said that he is ready to answer the call to go head-to-head with France superstar Kylian Mbappe ahead of their vital game in Paris on Thursday night.

The versatile midfielder declared that he would be happy to play wherever asked, should he be selected in the side for the Paris clash.

Ireland will have to improvise a touch on the right side of defence in the absence of both the injured Seamus Coleman and the suspended Matt Doherty, and Knight is among a group of players who could be asked to sit in at right wing-back.

"I wouldn't say no," said Knight, about the prospect of lining out with the responsibility of keeping world superstar Kylian Mbappe quiet in Paris.

"I’m happy as long as I’m playing. As a player you want to play in the big games against the best players. It would be a great opportunity, but I’m not the manager so whatever happens, happens. I look forward to it."

Stephen Kenny's side go into the toughest week of their campaign, beginning with an away game at the home of the World Cup beaten finalists, before taking on the Netherlands in Dublin on Sunday night.

A struggling start to the campaign, where Ireland suffered consecutive defeats to France in Dublin, before losing away to Greece in Athens.

And while they bounced back to a certain degree by putting points on the board against Gibraltar last time out, there is a real sense that points are needed in this most difficult double-header in order to get the qualification campaign back on track.

France, of course, have won four from four thus far, including a comprehensive victory over the Dutch in the opening game, which despite the slow start, allows Ireland a chance to fight for that one remaining automatic qualifying place for next summer’s