Three key questions for Stephen Kenny ahead of World Cup opener in Serbia

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, left, and coach Keith Andrews during a training session at Stadion Rajko Mitic in Belgrade ahead of the World Cup qualifier. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Who starts at centre-back?

Stephen Kenny described John Egan two weeks ago as “critical” to Ireland’s style of play but the Sheffield United defender is absent through injury while his erstwhile partner Shane Duffy is surplus to requirements at Celtic where he is currently on loan.