Ireland and Wales make changes for crucial World Cup qualifiers

Martin O’Neill brings in Wes Hoolahan and David Meyler in midfield with Glenn Whelan and Harry Arter dropping out after the disappointing 1-1 draw in Georgia on Saturday night. Jon Walters will captain the Republic.

Shane Long will lead the attack for Ireland.

Serbia are two points clear of Ireland at the top of Group D with Wales two points further back in third after seven games before they visit Moldova.

Wales should move to 14 points with a win against Moldova in Chisinau which places huge pressure on Ireland to beat Serbia, a result that would see them move one point clear at the top with two games to play.

Ireland host Moldova on October 6 before finishing their campaign on October 9 against Wales in Cardiff, but are trying to avoid the unwanted scenario of having to win in Wales to keep alive their prospects of at least finishing second in the section to claim a play-off spot.

Ireland: Randolph, Christie, Clarke, Duffy, Ward, Brady, Hoolahan, Meyler, McClean, Walters, Long..subs..Westwood, Elliot, O'Shea, Keogh, Whelan, Horgan, Murphy, O'Dowda, K. Long, Hourihane, Hayes, Arter

Serbia: Stojkovic; Vukovic, Maksimovic, Ivanovic, Rukavina, Kolarov, Milivojevic, Matic, Tadic, Kostic, Mitrovic

Wales make three changes from the 1-0 win that knocked Austria out of contention in Cardiff, but there is no starting place for Liverpool teenager Ben Woodburn, who struck the dramatic winner for Chris Coleman’s side to keep them on course for a second straight finals after their run to the last four of Euro 2016.

West Brom striker Hal Robson-Kanu takes over from Sam Vokes with Joe Allen back from suspension and Andy King also in from the start in midfield. Wales will look to Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale to provide the inspiration and aspiration as Wales bid to win back-to-back matches.

Jazz Richards and Dave Edwards drop to the bench with Neil Taylor back among the substitutes following his two-match suspension for seeing red against Ireland in March.

Wales will move to 14 points, and could finish the night in second place in the section if Ireland lose to Serbia.

Moldova: Cebanu; Bordian, Posmac, Epureanu, Rozgunic; Dedov, Ionita, Graur, Anton, Pascenco; Ginsari.

Wales: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies; King, Allen; Bale, Ramsey, Lawrence; Robson-Kanu.