Former Republic of Ireland international Wes Hoolahan is wanted by League One outfits Oxford United and Fleetwood Town.

The former stripper and glamour model has never been shy about her past and during her time on the reality TV show.

As they prepare for their last evening together in the villa, word reaches the Islanders that the Love Island Summer Ball awaits them.

At least we know that the Aviva crowd will definitely have something to cheer about tonight. With the friendly against the USA doubling as a John O’Shea tribute gig, the feelgood factor is already in place.

Alan Browne has come into the current Irish squad on the back of a tremendous personal season yet one which still ended in disappointment for promotion hopefuls Preston.

“People were raving afterwards about Tommy Craig. He has great skill and he is strong… When you are watching a game it looks like he’s making a great contribution. But that is on the premise that what he is doing on the ball is what it’s about at that level. And it is not. Maybe it should be. It would be nice if it were.

Although there was no great surprise in news of his retirement, already the cavity in the Ireland team created by Wes Hoolahan’s absence is being sorely mourned.

Liam Brady believes the lack of emerging talent is linked to Kerr’s absence from an active role in Irish football and that he should be brought back into the fold.

‘I thought that John and myself had agreed to stay on…but we’ll see.”

Right, here we go. Time to give the checklist a final once-over.

Average golfers have a saying: ‘It’s not how, it’s how many’.

Things took an unusual turn, for a Liam Brady column, on the morning of Cardiff.

You’ll remember the bottle of gin from Friday. The hipsterish Brooklyn Gin with the hand-cracked juniper berries and freshly cut citrus peels. The seal remains unbroken.

John Giles discussed Ireland’s World Cup rescue mission with John Fallon

Robbie Savage is confused. Has been since Monday evening when he heard some bloke on Irish TV going on and on about Wes Hoolahan and how the Republic of Ireland would have beaten Georgia in Tbilisi last weekend had the Norwich City player been picked.

Martin O’Neill believes all is not lost despite the Republic of Ireland’s first 2018 World Cup qualifying defeat.

Martin O’Neill believes all is not lost despite the Republic of Ireland’s first 2018 World Cup qualifying defeat.

With Serbia opening up a two-point gap at the top of Group D and Wales closing to within two in third place, Ireland are suddenly feeling the World Cup squeeze after a desperately poor performance away to Georgia.

Glenn Whelan looks pretty much nailed-on to don the green shirt for what will be the 82nd time when Ireland face Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday.

Keith Andrews has lavished praise on Sean Maguire, saying the in-form striker is exactly what Ireland are crying out for, as Martin O’Neill prepares to name his squad for next month’s games against Georgia and Serbia.

Preston North End put on a show of support for Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor at Turner’s Cross last night, but new manager Alex Neil insists there is no special need to reassure the departing Cork City stars they are still wanted by his new regime.

Former Premier League stars Shay Given, Alex Bruce and Wes Brown are training with Vanarama National League side Macclesfield.

Move over baby, there’s a new super Wessi fan in town.

Wes Hoolahan was at his mesmeric best at the weekend, scoring twice as Norwich hammered play-off contenders Reading 7-1.

I said in this column before kick-off on Friday I would have happily taken a draw against Wales. Well, Ireland did get a valuable point on that night, but only at a very heavy price.

You know what they say, spooning leads to …

While his much less celebrated work off the ball is far too honest to merit ‘a luxury player’ tag — you can understand why Martin O’Neill harbours equally honest reservations about him, writes Liam Mackey.

Wes Hoolahan picked up where he left off on Saturday, following up a brilliant display in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova with another superb showing as Norwich beat Rotherham 3-1 to go top of the Championship table.

David Moyes has confirmed he wants to take his former Manchester United players Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj to Sunderland.

Niall Quinn has challenged Ireland’s Euro 2016 heroes to build on the success of their French adventure.

Mark Twain once beautifully defined an expert as “some guy from outta town”. That being so, the guys and gals whose heads are entirely off the planet must be the greatest experts of them all.

Only once has the Republic of Ireland faced the host nation in a major tournament. The opportunity to do so again was a powerful motivating tool for Martin O’Neill’s players as they prepared to face Italy in Lille.

Seamus Coleman’s face was the first indication. Skipper for the first time, the Killybegs defender exuded intensity as he stood in the tunnel before kick-off. Teeth grinding, eyes locked on the task ahead, there was a certainty in Ireland’s performance there and then.

Stephen Quinn is a ‘definite option’ to replace James McCarthy or Glenn Whelan in Ireland’s midfield tonight, writes Liam Brady.