Forward thinking on all fronts for Martin O’Neill and Ireland

It’s a striking problem in every sense with which Martin O’Neill has to wrestle ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium.

After the 1-0 win over Switzerland, the manager has just one fit forward left in the ranks, with Robbie Keane (knee), Jon Walters (knee), Daryl Murphy (calf) and, of course, Kevin Doyle all ruled out of the match against the Slovaks.

Perhaps it was just as well that it was three members of the back four who combined to show the way to goal at the Aviva on Friday.