BY MICHAEL LOCKHART
The Republic of Ireland will welcome Finland to the Aviva for a Nations League tie tonight.
Ireland won the reverse fixture in Helsinki after coming back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 after Liam Scales equalised and Robbie Brady volleyed home a late winner.
Seamus Coleman was forced to pull out of the squad due to injury so the Killybegs man will have to wait for his return to the national team. Matt Doherty replaces him in the squad.
Shane Duffy and Adam Idah also had to pull out, getting replaced by Southampton’s Ryan Manning and Jake O’Brien.
Ireland need to avoid a loss to stay in League B of the Nations League. If Ireland don’t lose then Finland will be relegated automatically.
Now that Coleman and Duffy are out, Nathan Collins will be captain once again for tonight and Sunday’s games.
The Irish fans will be expecting a win at home against the Finns but it will always be a tough game.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm with live coverage starting at 7pm from RTÉ2.