Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has confirmed that Denise O'Sullivan and Katie McCabe will be available for selection when Ireland host the second leg of their World Cup play-off against Kazakhstan at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork.
Ireland go into the return fixture with a commanding advantage after a dominant first-leg win, secured without O'Sullivan, McCabe, or the influential Marissa Sheva, all of whom were suspended for that match. Despite their absence, Ireland produced a statement performance, with Kyra Carusa scoring twice and further goals from Chloe Mustaki, Emily Murphy, Abbie Larkin, Jamie Finn, Shanade Hopcroft and Jessie Stapleton. The hosts' task was made harder when captain Yulia Myasnikova was sent off in the 33rd minute.
Ward expressed satisfaction that players such as Finn and Larkin stepped up in the absence of established starters, describing the growing depth within the squad as a significant asset heading into a tougher test in the play-off final, with a place at a second consecutive World Cup on the line.
"I was saying to the group this morning it's really good we have strong competition everywhere now. Jamie came in and did tremendously well and we have a really good group," Ward said. "I talk a lot about the culture and the tight-knit of them and now they want to drive each other and push each other and raise each other all the time. We're in a really good position because we're not just a team built on culture anymore, we're a bloody good football team. Jamie will be knocking on Denise's door, everyone will be knocking on each other's door and that's only positive for what we want to try and achieve."
Cork has proven to be a fortress for Ireland, who remain unbeaten in three matches at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, including a dramatic 3-2 win over the Netherlands earlier this year. O'Sullivan, a Cork native, missed that victory through suspension but will now return to her home city, where she is poised to earn her 133rd international cap on Tuesday — one short of Emma Byrne's all-time record.
"I absolutely love playing here. It's really special, my family being here, a lot of people I have grown up with who have obviously supported me, the whole of Cork has supported me throughout my career," O'Sullivan said. "It's great to be back here and the team, Carla, everyone loves playing in Cork. There's a really good atmosphere, everyone comes out and doesn't stop from minute one to 90."
Ward also revealed that O'Sullivan had been reluctant to sit out the long trip to Kazakhstan for the first leg, but the decision was made with her long-term fitness in mind following a series of knee issues over the past 18 months.
"I want to put the Ireland shirt on every opportunity I can but I also look at is as I appreciate Carla and the staff for putting their foot down and not allowing me to do it because I have been, over the past year and a half having some injuries with my knees," the 32-year-old Gotham FC midfielder explained. "I appreciate them stepping in and saying, 'Look, it's not good for you to do that'. I had to take it in the end, and look, we have a really fantastic team who went out there and put on a very professional performance. They got the job done. At the end of the day, when the team wins and puts in a good performance, I'm happy."
With a sizeable aggregate lead already secured, Ireland will be targeting Cork as the stage to confirm their place in the World Cup play-off final.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.