Preview: England vs. Republic of Ireland

England face the first of two friendly encounters within a week when they welcome Republic of Ireland to Wembley on Wednesday.

The home side currently occupy second position in their World Cup qualification group for the 2014 World Cup, but they face a struggle to top the section with Montenegro currently two points clear at the summit.

Ireland, meanwhile, have taken eight points from their five matches thus far, a run of form that has left them in fourth position, but they are level on points with Sweden and Austria in Group C.

Both sides enter the match with an identical record from their last five matches, however, with two wins, two draws and one defeat since October 2012.

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has been forced out of the England squad through injury, with Manchester City's Jack Rodwell joining the party for the clash.

Ben Foster could also play a part after returning to the squad, while Andy Carroll is pushing for a start in attack alongside Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson also confirmed earlier this month that either Rooney or Frank Lampard would skipper the team against Ireland with current captain Steven Gerrard on the sidelines.

Ireland, meanwhile, will be without the services of Anthony Pilkington, who has been forced to pull out of the squad with a knee injury, while the match has come too soon for Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne.

However, Robbie Keane has been granted permission by Los Angeles Galaxy to join up with the squad, with the striker expected to be paired with West Bromwich Albion's Shane Long in the final third.

Recent form:

England: DLWWD
ROI: WLWDD

Possible lineups:

England: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jones, Cole; Carrick, Milner, Lampard; Walcott, Rooney, Welbeck

ROI: Forde; O'Shea, Wilson, St Ledger, Coleman; McGeady, McCarthy, Brady, McClean; Keane, Long

Sports Mole says: 3-1

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