Martin O’Neill to experiment in friendlies

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has revealed he plans to experiment in the March friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia in the build-up to the Euro 2016 finals.

That’s good news for the likes of Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter, Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot, Brentford playmaker Alan Judge, and Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney. Arter has made just one appearance in green, Elliot three, while Judge and Rooney are still to make their debut.

However, the games in March could provide that quartet with a chance to stake their claim for inclusion in O’Neill’s final 23-man squad for France.