UEFA UNDER-21:CURTAILING an Italy side with maximum points from their five under-21 Uefa qualifiers to date may be a daunting challenge for the hosts but Republic of Ireland defender John Egan claims his side are capable of doing so.

Ireland manager Noel King has led his team to three victories from four ties and believes they are jostling with Turkey and Hungary for second spot behind the Italians and, with it, a play-off shot at reaching next year’s finals.

Sunderland defender Egan has reason to be optimistic about today’s contest at the Sligo Showgrounds, as he skippered the Irish under-19s to a 3-0 win over the Italy a year ago which clinched a European Championship spot.

The opposition he faces today will likely be a step-up in class, with the likes of Newcastle United defender Davide Santon and leading scorer Manolo Gabbiadini of Atalanta in their line-up.

Still, Egan – who made his under-21 bow in the friendly defeat to Denmark a week ago – is adamant another sell-out crowd at the Showgrounds can inspire them on.

“Any Italy team is hard to beat but, as I know from last year, it can be done,” says the 19-year-old. “The experience I have of beating them will stand me in good stead. I know we’re capable of getting something from the game, especially with the fans behind us.”

Ireland manager Noel King has no injury concerns for today’s contest, with a fit-again James Collins set to lead the attack.

REP OF IRELAND U-21 (PROBABLE): I McLoughlin (MK Dons); J Egan (Sunderland), S Duffy (Everton), N Canavan (Scunthorpe Utd), G Cunningham (Manchester City); J Hendrick (Derby County), R Towell (Celtic), E O’Kane (Torquay United); A White (Leeds United), J Collins (Shrewsbury Town), R Brady (Manchester United)