As preparations for a vital FIFA World Cup Qualifier continue, three Derby County players will be hoping to feature when Republic of Ireland take on Mexico this evening.
Defensive trio Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce and Cyrus Christie are all part of Martin O’Neill’s squad for the fixture at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey (kick-off: 8pm local time – 1am Friday 2nd June BST).
Mexico are top of their own World Cup qualifying campaign in South America ahead of the meeting and are well placed to reach the finals, in Russia next year, for a 16th time in their history.
The fixture is the first of two this week, with the Green Army also set to take on Uruguay in Dublin this coming Sunday (4th June, kick-off: 7pm BST).
The two high-profile matches against South American opposition are geared towards prepping Republic of Ireland for their 2018 World Cup qualifying encounter with Austria later this month.
After five games, O’Neill’s side are handily placed in second – four points ahead of Wales in third.
With two friendlies to build up to the important meeting at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday 11th June, Keogh is looking to cement his place in the backline.
The 30-year-old told RamsTV before linking up with the Republic of Ireland squad: “They are what international football is all about. We’re playing against great countries and great players.
“We have got two tasty friendlies and hopefully I can get out on the pitch and then be involved in the Austria game.
“That’s a massive match for us and if we can pick up a positive result in that then it will leave us in great shape in the group.”
Read a full review of how the three Derby players get on later this evening across dcfc.co.uk on Friday morning.