How the Republic of Ireland squad are performing at club level

Republic of Ireland internationals Liam Scales, Adam Idah and Nathan Collins in action for their clubs

It is fair to say that the Republic of Ireland's start to World Cup qualifying could be described as traumatic for all involved.

Pre-campaign positivity was suddenly put on hold when Hungary went 2-0 up early on in Dublin in their opening qualifier, but a spirited comeback to level the match offered something to cling on to.

What followed was one of the worst results in the Republic's footballing history - a 2-1 loss in Armenia - which may ultimately prove decisive in ending their World Cup aspirations.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson will have to pick his side off the floor for the upcoming double-header away to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on 11 October, before Armenia visit Dublin for their rematch on 14 October.

With the squad announced for those two forthcoming fixtures, BBC Sport NI takes a look at how the players selected have fared for their clubs in the run-up to the games.

Goalkeepers

Caoimhin Kelleher was on hand to save Bruno Fernandes' penalty as his Brentford side beat Manchester United in the Premier League

Caoimhin Kelleher: The Cork native has played the full 90 minutes in all four of Brentford's Premier League games since that night in Armenia, including a crucial penalty save from Bruno Fernandes in a win over Manchester United, and a draw with Chelsea.

Gavin Bazunu: Having started the season as Southampton's number one, Bazunu has been dropped by manager Will Still and has failed to feature in the past three Championship games.

Mark Travers: Minutes are always unlikely for Travers as the number two behind Jordan Pickford at Everton, but he did play the full game in their EFL Cup defeat at Wolves.

Defenders

Seamus Coleman: Recalled after being left out of the last squad, the defender has found game time hard to come by with just 78 minutes to his name in Everton's EFL Cup defeat to Wolves. Injury to Matt Doherty has seen him recalled back into the international fold.

Jake O'Brien: O'Brien has featured at the heart of the Everton defence for every minute of their past four Premier League outings, which saw the Toffees lose to Liverpool, earn draws with Aston Villa and West Ham, then beat Crystal Palace.

Nathan Collins: Another one of Brentford's Irish contingent, Collins has played every minute of their past four Premier League games, including the win over Manchester United. Republic fans will be hoping he can carry that form into the international arena.

Dara O'Shea: Kept a clean sheet as part of the Ipswich defence in their recent win against Sheffield United in the Championship. Played 90 minutes in Saturday's 3-1 win over Norwich City.

John Egan: The Hull City centre-back has been ever-present for the Championship side this season, playing 90 minutes in all nine of the club's fixtures.

Callum O'Dowda: He's been struggling for time on the pitch in Hungary with Ferencvaros with only two substitute appearances in the league since the opening day of the season.

Liam Scales: Now a regular in defence for Celtic, where he is playing in the Europa League and he scored in the Scottish champions' 4-0 Scottish League Cup win over Partick Thistle. Seven matches of full 90 minutes under his belt for the champions in the Scottish Premiership.

Midfielders

Josh Cullen: A Premier League regular with Burnley, who have one draw and three defeats in their past three matches. In fairness, two of the defeats did come against Liverpool and Manchester City.

Will Smallbone: The midfielder has recently returned from a calf injury which kept him out of the last squad, but managed 68 minutes from the start in Millwall's recent 1-1 draw with Swansea, 16 minutes in a defeat by Coventry and then 78 minutes in Saturday's 3-0 victory over West Brom. On loan from parent club Southampton until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Finn Azaz: Getting regular game time for a Southampton side who are struggling in the lower reaches of the Championship. Has started six of their eight league games to date.

Jack Taylor: Hasn't played a single second for Ipswich Town since the last international break, having been an unused substitute in their past four Championship fixtures.

Jayson Molumby: The West Brom midfielder has played in every game this season for the Championship side and is recalled to the international side for the first time since November 2023.

Forwards

After a bright start to his Roma career Evan Ferguson has been reduced to appearances off the bench.

Evan Ferguson: Ferguson has yet to score a Serie A goal for Roma, having accumulated a mixture of starting roles and substitute appearances. Was an unused substitute in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.

Troy Parrott: The AZ Alkmaar striker had been out with a knee injury after a promising start to the season with the Dutch side but returned to action after six weeks on the sidelines as he was given a 20-minute runout in a 2-1 win over Telstar.

Sammie Szmodics: Returned from injury to help Ipswich beat Portsmouth, a real boost for Heimir Hallgrimsson. Has since featured in a draw with Bristol City and a win over Norwich City.

Adam Idah: The Cork man has made just one start for Swansea City since making the deadline day move from Celtic but got an assist off the bench for the winner in their 2-1 victory against Blackburn and followed that up by scoring a penalty in his side's 3-1 reverse against Leicester City after coming on as a sub.

Mikey Johnston: Grabbed an assist off the bench for West Brom in their win at Middlesbrough and has started their past three games in the Championship.

Kasey McAteer: Just the one Ipswich start since the international break for McAteer. On the bench for Saturday's win over Norwich but not called upon to enter the fray.

Chiedozie Ogbene: Started the past four games for Sheffield United and got the assist for their winner against Oxford United. Ninety minutes under his belt against Hull City at the weekend.

Festy Ebosele: The 23-year-old has been starting at right-back for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir this season and is back in the international fold after missing the September qualifiers.