Republic of Ireland host Wales in a crucial World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night (7.45pm kick-off).

Martin O’Neill’s men currently top Group D having won three of their four group games, including an impressive 1-0 success in Austria in their last outing back in November.

Their only dropped points came in their opening match against Serbia in September 2016, when they drew 2-2 in Belgrade, but three successive victories has put the Irish in pole position to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 2002.

However, it won’t be easy against Chris Coleman’s Wales, who of course reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 last summer in one of the best sports stories of the year.

Yet, they appear to be suffering a post-Euros hangover as Coleman’s side have won just one of their four group games in qualification, although have drawn the other three games.

Although they remain unbeaten, Wales really cannot afford to drop anymore points in their qualification campaign, as defeat in Dublin on Friday would see them fall seven points behind Ireland, and with just five games to go.

Ireland do have injury concern ahead of Friday’s clash, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance against Wales in Dublin…

John Egan

Brentford’s John Egan was one of two first-time call-ups to the Ireland squad for their matches this week, although the other, Reading’s Liam Kelly, was forced to withdraw with an ankle injury last week.

Nonetheless, given that Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark are both unavailable, and Robbie Brady is suspended, O’Neill only has Seamus Coleman available from the back four that started the win in Austria in November, and that could open the door for Egan to make his debut for his country.

The 24-year-old has started 33 of Brentford’s 38 Championship games this term, and has often been one of their star performers – that may be enough to see him get his debut on Friday night.

Conor Hourihane

Conor Hourihane is another player who could benefit from Ireland’s injury woes to receive his first cap on Friday.

The 26-year-old, who moved from Barnsley to Aston Villa in January, has been one of the EFL’s most consistent players over the last few years, netting ten goals in 41 games in the 2015/16 campaign to help the Tykes win promotion, and then six in the first half of this term to consolidate their position in the second tier.

Hourihane has since moved to Villa Park and started nine times in the league for Steve Bruce’s men, and with a goal and two assists in his last five appearances, he is in good form, and may be called upon by O’Neill on Friday.

Shane Long

He may not be a regular for Southampton at present, but Shane Long often turns it on when playing for his country.

The 30-year-old has played 71 times for Ireland, making his debut back in 2007 while he was at Reading, and has scored 17 goals, with the vast majority of his appearances and goals coming in the last four years.

Long played 12 games for his country in 2016, the most he has ever played in one year, and scored three goals, also his highest tally in a calendar year.

He should be fresh given his lack of recent exploits with Southampton, so maybe O’Neill could turn to Long to lead the line against Wales on Friday.