
Ireland team named for Senegal friendly, here's how we think it will shape up
Smallbone struggled for game-time this past season with the Saints, with just six of his 18 Premier League appearances coming as a starter.
A starter in Hallgrímsson's first two games in charge - against England and Greece - this is the 25-year-old's first taste of international action since last September.
He will likely be handed the support role to Adam Idah, who has claimed a starting spot ahead of Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott.
Idah finished the season at Celtic with 20 goals, a Scottish Premiership winners' medal and a Scottish Cup runners-up gong.
While Parrott had an outstanding campaign for AZ Alkmaar, injury sidelined him in the final weeks, and Ferguson's woes on-loan at West Ham are well documented by now.
We expect Hallgrímsson to run with a back-four - with Matt Doherty, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea and Robbie Brady playing in front of new Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Leicester City's Kasey McAteer, fresh from his first Premier League goal, scored against Ipswich Town, could flank Jason Knight and Jack Taylor, with Ryan Manning on the other side.
On the bench, Shamrock Rovers' Josh Honohan, Stade Reims midfielder John Patrick, and former Drogheda United man Killian Phillips will all hope to win their first cap.
Goalkeepers Max O'Leary and Josh Keeley make up the uncapped five.
Ireland: Caoimhín Kelleher; Matt Doherty, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Robbie Brady; Jason Knight, Jack Taylor, Will Smallbone, Kasey McAteer, Ryan Manning; Adam Idah
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The Irish Sun
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Irish Times
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