From a period of relative stability in recent years, it looks like Martin O'Neill may be about to pick a third goalkeeper to start a competitive international for Ireland in the less than ten months.
West Ham's Darren Randolph is in pole position to make only his third appearance for Ireland on Friday night against Gibraltar in Faro. The Bray native has only made two substitute appearances for Ireland since his 2012 debut coming against Oman and Spain.
The 28 year old has impressed for West Ham since first choice goalkeeper Adrian was sent off against Leicester City last month. The Spanish goalkeeper has still one game of his three match ban remaining and Randolph has impressed in his two outings for The Hammers.
Ireland's previous two goalkeeping incumbents are both struggling for game time at their clubs. David Forde who last started a competitive international last November in the 1-0 loss to Scotland in Glasgow. The Galway native has become second choice goalkeeper behind Jordan Archer at Millwall despite being the clubs vice captain.
Shay Given last played for Ireland against Scotland in June and has since moved from Aston Villa to Stoke City where he is expected to act in reserve for Jack Butland.
With Ireland's goalkeeping options so limited, Randolph looks to be the obvious option for the Gibraltar game and the Georgia clash three nights later in Dublin.
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