Greece v Ireland, Women’s Nations League – Girls in Green seek win in Crete

Team news from David Kelly in Greece…Ireland captain Katie McCabe will miss tonight’s Nations League Group B clash against Greece as she struggles with a calf strain picked up on Champions League duty.

Ireland boss Carla Ward had already ruled Heather Payne out with an ankle injury but had declared confidence yesterday that the rest of her squad would be fit.

However, as reported here yesterday, McCabe stepped away from the 15-minute public warm-up session and the decision has been taken not to risk her.

Denise O’Sullivan will captain the side in her absence, as she becomes the second most capped Irishwoman of all time on 122 caps. Megan Campbell, a last-minute withdrawal before Ireland’s last game, a 4-0 defeat in Slovenia. slots in for McCabe in Ward’s preferred four-back defence in one of four changes to that humbled outfit.

Jessie Stapleton replaces Megan Connolly at centre-back while Tyler Toland and Leanne Kiernan also earn starts, meaning Amber Barrett will have to win…