Patient Jake O’Brien eager to make his presence felt and earn his first cap

Jake O'Brien: training with the Republic of Ireland squad at the FAI National Training Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

O’Brien took a risk moving to the Belgian second tier. The loan switch paid off when the big centre half was named RWD Molenbeek’s player of the season. Already an establishedunder-21 international, he towered above all-comers in the Challenger Pro League. It was enough to earn another move, this time to Olympique Lyonnais.

Like how he grew to 6ft 6in tall before breaking into John O’Shea’s squad for the March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland. “It was only at 16, 17 that things started coming for me in terms of physicality. When I was at Cork City it was about putting it together, physically, before going over to England.”

Along with Dara O’Shea, Collins and Omobamidele could keep O’Brien benched, having held their own in the English top flight for Burnley, Brentford and Nottingham Forrest respectively. And nothing is guaranteed when injured trio John Egan, Shane Duffy and Liam Scales return.“John would have been the centre half I looked up to and it’s amazing now that he’s the manager. From watching him to playing under him.”“His experience, his coaching. He’s very good to the lads.

If O’Brien gets the nod from O’Shea on Saturday there is some solace in the fact that Romelu Lukaku will not be on the pitch. The powerful Roma forward is ruled out, due to a groin issue, of Belgium’s trips to the Aviva and then Wembley next Tuesday.

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