Martin O’Neill wants to start some fresh faces for the country this month.
The Republic of Ireland take on Switzerland on March 25 and Slovakia four days later – both games at the Aviva – and the boss admits that he will be using the games to get a look at some players.
With the like of Alan Judge turning heads for Brentford and still uncapped at international level, O’Neill name-checked the Dubliner as he outlined his intention to go for some fresh blood.
“Some of the players might think it’s their first chance,” O’Neill told Soccer Republic of the prospect of handing men their last opportunity ahead of the Euros. “Some of the players who have been in and around the squad and who have not had much playing time – players like Alan Judge for instance who has had no playing time and he has done exceptionally well.
“There are one or two players who I’d like to start and if they don’t start against Switzerland, they’ll start against Slovakia. It is an opportunity, it’s an experimental time, I feel. But, at the same time, I don’t want to waste these opportunities.”
FROM HIS OWN HALF:@Judgey10 does is all by himself for @BrentfordFC.
Watch all the goals from 9pm on @Channel5_TV https://t.co/nDOECGA5LS
— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) February 20, 2016
It’s not going to be an easy decision for the Derry man though to narrow his squad.
“The players want to belong to it, they want to get there and that will be one of the hardest jobs, picking the 23,” he said. “Now, you may say to me and I may well agree that there are a number of players who are absolutely nailed on – injury apart – who have been massive parts of this journey and there’s no reason not to select them. But there are places up for grabs.”
The rise of Richie Towell has somewhat stunted since his move to England and O’Neill told Soccer Republic that the League of Ireland legend would need to make the Brighton team before being considered seriously.
“I did jokingly say to him that I wasn’t travelling all the way down to Brighton to watch him playing in the reserves. I’ve had enough of that in my time,” the manager stated. “Get into the big team and we’ll see how you get on. It just hasn’t quite happened. There’s still time.
“You mentioned a couple of players there [Chris Forrester too] and there are a few others who I have been looking at and you’re just trying to weight it up in your mind whether: 1) they can cope with international football and 2) whether it might just be a wee bit too early for them. But they’re players that I would have in mind for further campaigns.”
Contract talks going well then?
