Givens hopeful despite injuries

UNDER-21 PREVIEW:DON GIVENS has backed his under-strength Republic of Ireland under-21 side to finally end their winless streak in Armenia today.

Despite losing seven of the original 18 players he selected – including three from the starting line-up against Georgia on Saturday – the Ireland boss remained in optimistic mood yesterday.

Givens believes they can finally claim a first victory of this European Championship qualifying campaign if they can solve the problem of failing to put opponents away.

Ireland have drawn their last four fixtures – three from winning positions – but Givens believes they can put that right in Yerevan today. “We need to take our chances.”

He added: “I’m optimistic. The lads have trained well but hopefully we can get into a position to win it and then see it out.”

Paddy Madden and Conor Clifford have flown out to join the squad after Séamus Coleman (ankle) and Seán Scannell (hamstring) were ruled out by injuries while skipper Owen Garvan is suspended.

Lanre Oyebanjo, Graham Carey and Séamus Conneely have been handed their first starts at this level. Givens added: “You sometimes lose squad players but the likes of Alan Judge, Brendan Moloney, James McCarthy and Ian Bermingham were all starters for us and they had to pull out already.

“It opens doors for other people. Séamus Conneely is playing everywhere for us. He made his debut at centre back and now he’s playing midfield, where I know he has played for his club. I think he can do it.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:Redmond (Nottm Forest); Oyebanjo (Histon), Morris (Newcastle), Dennehy (Cardiff), Hughton (Lincoln), Gleeson (MK Dons), Conneely (Galway Utd), Carey (Celtic), O'Shea (Birmingham), Collins (Aston Villa), Sheridan (Celtic).