Jonathan Walters has returned to the Republic of Ireland starting XI for tonight's Euro 2016 playoff showdown against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Stoke City forward, who missed last week's goalless draw due to suspension, is expected to start on the left side of the attack behind striker Daryl Murphy.

Walters's inclusion is the only change made by manager Martin O'Neill, who has dropped Stephen Ward to the bench, indicating that Robbie Brady will drop into a full-back role.

John O'Shea is available after serving a suspension, but has not made it into the starting XI as Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark line up in the centre of defence.

Shane Long was ruled out of the first leg of the playoff with a troublesome knee, but has been given a place on the bench alongside Robbie Keane.

Meanwhile, Bosnia have made three changes to the side that rescued a point last week as Ognjen Vranjec, Sead Kolasinac and Haris Medunjanin come into the team.

Edin Dzeko leads the line, while Everton's Muhamed Besic gets a spot on the bench after serving a suspension.

Republic of Ireland: Randolph; Coleman, Keogh, Clark, Brady; Whelan, McCarthy; Hendrick, Hoolahan, Walters; Murphy
Subs: Forde, Henderson, Wilson, O'Shea, Christie, Ward, McGeady, McClean, Gibson, Arter, Long, Keane

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Begovic; Spahic, Kolasinac, Vranjes, Lulic; Zukanovic, Cocalic; Medunjanin, Pjanic, Visca; Dzeko
Subs: Buric, Sehic, Bicakcic, Sunjic, Besic, Susic, I. Hajrovic, Hadzic, Salihovic, Ibisevic, Ar. Hodzic, Djuric

Follow Sports Mole's live text coverage of the game here.

Written by
Danielle Joynson