The Republic of Ireland head into their daunting Euro 2024 qualifier clash with France without the man the nation had hoped might inspire a fightback.

Stephen Kenny will send his troops into Group B battle with the World Cup runners-up at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening with in-form Brighton striker Evan Ferguson a frustrated by-stander after a knee injury forced his withdrawal from the squad, just as Ireland’s fledgling campaign reached crunch-point.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding a crucial fixture in Paris.

Evan help us

Ferguson’s absence leaves Kenny facing a rethink after integrating the 18-year-old into his starting line-up in recent games. His two goals in six senior appearances to date – as w…

Carlo Ancelotti is not concerned by Real Madrid s struggles in front of goal and is confident Karim Benzema will soon get back to scoring ways.

Madrid failed to register a single shot on target in Thursday s 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg loss to Barcelona – the first time that has happened in a home game since 2010.

Los Blancos managed seven attempts on target in their most recent LaLiga outing, but they found the net from just one of those in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Benzema played a full part in both games without scoring, but his mini drought was preceded by a two-goal showing in Madrid s stunning 5-2 Champions League win at Liverpool.

The former France international has 18 goals in 26 appearances this season, and Ancelotti defende…

Erik ten Hag has made his desire to sign a new striker for Manchester United ahead of next season clear.

The Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts this season as they battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, as well as chasing glory in the FA Cup and Europa League.

United s pursuit of glory to add to the EFL Cup crown secured earlier this year has come despite a lack of central options in attack.

Wout Weghorst was signed on loan in January following the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo s contract before the World Cup in Qatar and, while performing admirably, is not the calibre of striker United are crying out for.

Ten Hag expects to change that when the window reopens for business, expressing the need for such a recruit.

…

Mikel Arteta showered praise on Ethan Nwaneri after scoring a brace for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers but cautioned him over making a start in the Premier League.

Nwaneri struck either side of half-time in a game that saw the Gunners youngsters star at the Emirates to help them advance to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

Jack Porter (16), Josh Nichols (18) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (18) also made their full debuts, while fellow teenagers Maldini Kacurri (18) and Ismeal Kabia (18) came off the bench to play their part.

Goals from Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling who scored his first Arsenal goal on his first start for the club and Kai Havertz also contributed to the comfortable triumph.

Arteta s side will face Preston North End in the next round, the stage…

Best odds: 23/10

Bookmaker:

Defending a delicate 2-1 advantage from the initial leg of their Champions League qualifying play-off tie, Braga faces the challenging journey to Greece for the return fixture against Panathinaikos on Tuesday.

Almost securing a two-goal lead to carry into Athens, Artur Jorge s team was mere moments away from achieving that goal. However, a last-minute reply from Panathinaikos has offered the Greek powerhouse a significant opportunity for redemption.

Panathinaikos

After their thrilling penalty-shootout victory over Marseille in the third round, Panathinaikos had a full eight days to rest and recover before facing Braga at Estadio Municipal. Ivan Jovanovic s team managed to hold off their opponents until the halftime whistle.

Verdict: Both teams to score

 Best odds:

Bookmaker: 

Atletico Madrid welcomes Athletic Bilbao in what is seen as a top-four derby match between two multi-awarded teams of the Spanish top flight who aim to finish the season on a high.  The game will be played at Wanda Metropolitano where local supporters hope their favourites will overcome their recent Champions League setback.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid have had a disappointing season with the prospect of missing out on a trophy by the end of this term. Diego Simeone s team s lack of consistency and difficult battles on many fronts pushed the team to 4th place in La Liga, seven points behind Girona. With seven rounds to go, the Champions League position battle is getting intense with none of Atl…

Rebecca Welch is not the first footballer to have told a referee just how they should do their job – but a decade later, it is her own decisions which are now set to be front and centre in the Premier League.

On December 23, Welch will break new ground once again when she takes charge of Fulham against Burnley at Craven Cottage.

Yet but for taking one of her friends to task, Welch, 40, might never have given refereeing a go herself.

“I played football and didn’t even think about refereeing until one of my really good friends, who is a referee, refereed us,” she said in an interview with the Independent in November ahead of becoming the first female to act as fourth official in a Premier League match for Fulham against Manchester United.

“I spent…

Xherdan Shaqiri hit out at Poland s players for celebrating their Euro 2016 last-16 victory over his side in front of the Switzerland section of the crowd in Saint-Etienne.

Shaqiri s wonderful volley had earlier cancelled out a drilled opener from Jakub Blaszczykowski, but Granit Xhaka s penalty miss was pivotal as Poland won the shoot-out 5-4.

Many of Poland s players ran to the Switzerland end of the stadium to celebrate their win, which Shaqiri criticised when he spoke to the media after the match.

I don t know what to say, said Shaqiri. 

They are professional players they [should] know they have to go to the other side to celebrate. What can I say?

Shaqiri s acrobatic strike is a certain contender for the best goal of the tournament, but t…

FIFA has confirmed that the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar will be held in the winter, with the final scheduled for December 18.

Concerns were raised about the prospect of a summer tournament when the Gulf nation was initially awarded the hosting rights, with temperatures regularly exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in July and August.

FIFA agreed provisional dates for a winter tournament back in March despite some concerns over the impact of the domestic calendar in European football, especially the Premier League, which does not operate a mid-season break.

And the Executive Committee ratified the decision on Friday, meaning the finals will begin on November 21 and will conclude on December 18, making it a shorter tournament than the usual 32-day programme.

FI…

Moving on from simple glance would be enough to claim World Cup Group C should be a highly interesting one.

As one of the tournament favourites, France are expected to put in a strong show in the first stage of the competition whereas it is likely to go down between Denmark and Peru when it comes to the runners-up place.

Australia

ICYMI: Our 26-man squad for the pre-tournament training camp in Turkey and friendly match against Czech Republic.

— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos)

The Socceroos are heading to Russia for their fifth ever World Cup appearance.

Australia suffered a disappointing faith at the 2014 World Cup and will be hoping to make amends for a frustrating group stage elimination which came as a direct consequence to defeat…