Kelleher starts for Ireland against Armenia as Collins makes first competitive star

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has been handed a third successive start for the Republic of Ireland as they launch their new Nations League campaign in Armenia (kick-off 2pm).

Kelleher got the nod ahead of Gavin Bazunu, who has been struggling with a back problem in the run-up to the game at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan.

There was also a first competitive start for Burnley defender Nathan Collins, while Troy Parrott will form an attacking trio with Chiedozie Ogbene and Callum Robinson.

Armenia boss Joaquin Caparros made only four changes to the side which lost 9-0 in Norway last time out as defenders Hovhannes Hambartzumyan, Hrayr Mkoyan, and midfielders Kamo Hovhannisyan and Artak Grigoryan were drafted in.

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ARMENIA: Yurchenko (Pyunik Yerevan); Hambartsumyan (Anorthosis), Haroyan (Cádiz, capt), Mkoya (Ararat Yerevan), A Hovhannisyan (Pyunik Yerevan); K Hovhannisyan (Astana), Grigoryan (Alashkert FC), Spertsyan (Krasnodar), Barseghyan (Slovan Bratislava); Bayramyan (Rostov); Bichakhchyan (Pogon).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Kelleher (Liverpool); Collins (Burnley), Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), Egan (Sheffield United); Coleman (Everton, capt), Hendrick (Newcastle United), Cullen (Anderlecht), Stevens (Sheffield United); Ogbene (Rotherham United), Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur).