Team news: Ogbene gets first competitive start in place of Idah

At the back, Séamus Coleman appears to be slotting into the third central-defensive berth vacated by the injured Andrew Omobamidele.

10 November 2021; Chiedozie Ogbene during a Republic of Ireland training session at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Chiedozie Ogbene has been handed his first competitive start ahead of fellow Cork native Adam Idah for Ireland’s penultimate World Cup qualifier against Portugal (7.45pm).

In one of a few surprise switches, the Rotherham United attacker remains in the side that beat Qatar 4-0 in last month’s friendly, likely supporting central striker Callum Robinson. Jamie McGrath also starts at the Aviva Stadium after shaking off a hip injury that had initially put his availability in doubt.