McGeady fit for Bulgaria game

Aiden McGeady handed the Republic of Ireland a major boost when he was declared fit for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

The Celtic midfielder, who has been struggling with a bruised foot all week, was named in a starting line-up which featured just two changes to the side which defeated Georgia last month.

Stephen Hunt replaced the injured Damien Duff, while Sunderland defender Paul McShane was preferred to Stephen Kelly at right-back.

By contrast, new Bulgaria manager Stanimir Stoilov fielded only three of the team which started their last qualifier in October – with Dimitar Berbatov, Martin Petrov and Valeri Bojinov all unfit.

Rep of Ireland: Given, McShane, O’Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Stephen Hunt, Keane, Doyle.

Subs: Kiely, Delaney, Kelly, Noel Hunt, Gibson, Keogh, Folan.

Bulgaria: Ivankov, Stoyanov, Tomasic, Manolev, Milanov, Angelov, Petrov, Popov, Georgiev, Telkiyski, Rangelov.

Subs: Georgi Petkov, Kishishev, Todorov, Dimitrov, Yankov, Makriev, Topuzakov.

Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)