International Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Portugal

REPUBLIC of IRELAND

The Republic of Ireland will play the fourth and last of their summer friendlies on Wednesday when they face Paulo Bento's Portugal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

So far returning an opening home defeat to Turkey and subsequent draws with Italy and Costa Rica, this latest programme of friendly fixtures has been very much used by manager Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane as an experimental exercise ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. 

Coupled with Glenn Whelan returning home after learning of his son's illness, Jeff Hendrick's impressive performance as a second-half substitute against Costa Rica could see him claim a starting place in the centre of midfield. 

Stephen Ward has been flown in to replace Marc Wilson at left-back after the Stoke City man was substituted in the first-half of the Costa Rica game with a hamstring injury, whilst a calf problem casts doubts as to whether or not Shane Duffy will add to his debut cap in Philadelphia. Shane Long is also a doubt with a back injury. 

On a positive note for O'Neill, Jonathan Walters returns to the fray after recovering from a mystery virus that saw him hospitalised last week. Walters last appeared for Ireland in last month's defeat to Turkey, a game in which he scored. 

With Ireland's next match being against Oman in September, the former Ipswich Town striker is hopeful he will get one more chance to impress the Irish management team before the lengthy international break. 

''I would like to be involved- hopefully I will be. There are a lot of lads who want to play, so we will see what team he (Martin O'Neill) picks. But I'd like to be involved.'' 

PORTUGAL

Following a return to training on Saturday, there is a strong possibility Cristiano Ronaldo will play some part for Portugal in Wednesday's friendly with the Republic of Ireland. 

After missing his country's last two World Cup warm-up games, speculation has been mounting as to whether or not the Real Madrid star would be fit on time to face Germany in Portugal's World Cup opener on 16 June. 

The main focus in the lead up to this game has been on how much, if any, a part Ronaldo and fellow doubtful team-mates, Pepe and Raul Meireles will play in what will be Seleção das Quinas final game before they resume battle in World Cup Group G. 

"Two of them trained on Saturday and Sunday and Pepe will train today. Their situation will depend on how they respond to training and we'll see what our decision will be for tomorrow's match'', Portugal boss Paulo Bento said on Monday.

Bento will be hoping his side can put in a much improved performance against Martin O'Neill's men after a brace of recent lackluster displays.

Portugal have sorely lacked the attacking flair of Ronaldo in their last two outings with them playing out a dour scoreless draw with Greece before ambling to a narrow win over Mexico on Friday courtesy of a stoppage-time header from Bruno Alves.

Referee: 

MATCH STATS

Portugal emerged 1-0 victors in the first meeting between these two sides back in June 1946. 

If Cristiano Ronaldo plays a part on Wednesday, it will be his 111th cap for Portugal. 

The last time the two sides met was in a friendly fixture at Lansdowne Road in February 2005. A first-half goal from Andy O'Brien gave the Boys in Green victory on that occasion. 

BETTING

Republic of Ireland 11/2; draw 5/2; Portugal 8/13

PREDICTION

A 2-0 win for Portugal

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Marc Wilson (hamstring).
Doubtful: Shane Duffy (calf), Shane Long (back).
Absent: Glenn Whelan (personal).

Portugal

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, Raul Meireles.