Boost for Ireland as Robbie Brady returns to Preston training following injury lay-off

Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland, left, and Robbie Brady celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has received a welcome boost with the news that wing-back Robbie Brady has returned to Preston North End training. 

Brady - who turned 34 on Wednesday - has been absent since suffering a calf injury in a pre-season friendly for Championship outfit Preston. 

He therefore missed out on Ireland selection for the Autumn World Cup qualifiers, including the Troy Parrot-inspired wins over Portugal and Hungary that sealed their play-off berth and an away semi-final date with Czechia in March. 

The 72-cap international's return means he will likely slot back into his role on Ireland's left flank for the clash with Miroslav Koubek's Czechia side, a position which has been occupied by Celtic's Liam Scales of late.

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said last week that Brady was "progressing well" in his recovery and the club, on Thursday morning, posted a video of the Dubliner back out on the grass; welcome news for Hallgrimsson and Ireland given regular Josh Cullen's recent ACL tear, as well as striker Adam Idah's hamstring injury.

💫🇮🇪#pnefc pic.twitter.com/WYBafmdB2L

— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) January 15, 2026

"Progressing well. He's probably getting held back for his own good by the medical team, because he's feeling great," the Preston manager told the Lancashire Evening Post last week.

"I know he's frustrated, he wants to be out there. But at least he's running now, he's making good strides and I always remember that feeling when you're coming back from injuries. When you get out on the grass it's good and then all of a sudden you get bored of running; you want to get a ball."