Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward has given Ruesha Littlejohn a huge vote of confidence by starting her in the middle of the park for tonight's World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
With Denise O'Sullivan and Emily Murpshy suspended, Ward has had to make changes to the side that beat Poland 1-0 at Aviva Stadium in April.
Abbie Larkin, as anticipated, comes in for Murphy, but Littlejohn's inclusion is a surprise.
In early December 2025, Littlejohn received a five-match ban after being sent off for Crystal Palace against Leicester. The 35-year-old grabbed opponent Hannah Cain in a headlock and wrestled her to the ground.
Littlejohn featured very little for Palace after returning from suspension as the Eagles won WSL2 to return to the top flight. She was released by the club at the end of the season upon the expiration of her contract.
Ward is a big admirer of the midfielder. Littlejohn's last Ireland start came against Belgium in the second leg of last October's Nations League promotion/relegation second leg. She was withdrawn at half-time for Anna Patten, with Ward afterwards saying the substitution was pre-planned.
Larkin is the obvious replacement for Murphy, her pace offering the Girls in Green an outball in what will be a very difficult assignment. There are no other canges to the side.
If the hosts win tonight and then beat France in Grenoble on Tuesday, they would top the group and automatically qualify for next summer's tournament in Brazil.
Their main target has always been to finish no lower than third, which earns a seeded place (and on paper a kinder draw) in the autumn's play-offs.
A Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for Cork this evening. It will windy and wet at the Páirc as Ireland chase a famous win.
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe (capt); Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn, Marissa Sheva; Abbie Larkin; Kyra Carusa
Netherlands: Lize Kop; Lynn Wilms, Dominique Janssen (capt), Veerle Buurman, Janou Levels; Damaris Eggurola, Ella Peddemors, Wieke Kaptein; Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn, Romee Leuchter
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar (Hungary)
Watch Republic of Ireland v Netherlands in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
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Source: RTE
