David McGoldrick’s Republic of Ireland have drawn Jonas Knudsen's Denmark in November’s two-legged World Cup qualification play-offs.

Six-times-capped McGoldrick, 29, is almost certain to be included in the squad picked by manager Martin O’Neill and his assistant, former Town boss Roy Keane, despite not featuring in the victories over Moldova and Wales in their final two qualifiers which saw them to second place in their group.

Blues defender Knudsen has won two full caps for Denmark, who are 19th in FIFA’s rankings with Ireland 26th, but the 25-year-old is unlikely to feature as he hasn’t played for his country since joining Town in 2015, although he has been named in squads on a number of occasions, most recently in November last year.

Ireland will be away to Denmark on Saturday 11th November with the second leg at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday 14th November.

In the other play-off ties drawn at lunchtime by Fernando Hierro at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Northern Ireland will face Switzerland, Croatia will play Greece and Italy were paired with Sweden.

Meanwhile, the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) and Town owner Marcus Evans’s THG have ended their relationship following a mediation process.

An OCI statement reads: "Following a mediation carried out by former Supreme Court Judge Mr Justice Finnegan, THG and the Olympic Council of Ireland wish to announce that they have reached an agreement to terminate the contracts agreed between the parties in 2016 that relate to the 2018-2026 Olympic Games.

"OCI accepts that these contracts were enforceable as between the parties and that THG fully intended performing its contractual obligations.

"Both parties agreed that with THG reducing its business activities in Ireland that this would be the most appropriate course of action in the interests of Irish athletes and the wider Irish public.

"THG has been the OCI’s most significant commercial partner since coming on board in 2010. The OCI wishes to acknowledge THG’s willingness to reach an amicable resolution in this matter.”

In August, the Moran Report into the Rio Olympics ticketing controversy was critical of the “concealed relationship” between Evans and former OCI chief Pat Hickey.

Photo: Action Images

Crock added 14:39 - Oct 17 Switzerland, Ireland, Greece and Italy FTW
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hoppy added 15:35 - Oct 17 Will Didz be any more likely to be playing than Jonas, given his 'was he injured/wasn't he injured' departure from the last squad?
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PhilTWTD added 15:46 - Oct 17 Don't think there was actually any suggestion he was injured after he'd had the scan at the start of the week, M'ON just reduced his squad and left him out, albeit surprisingly. However, he does name provisional squads of about 37 so it would be a surprise if he's not involved in that at least.
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Len_Brennan added 19:11 - Oct 17 If Didz didn't get any minutes in the last 2 games, when Ireland were very low on experienced forwards & him if such good form, his chances in the future must be very low. I wouldn't be surprised if his international career is effectively over & his remarkable departure from the squad may well be the result of a discussion with Martin O'Neill to that effect. Could be wrong of course, but why would he let him go ahead of a massive qualifying game with Wales & no experienced strikers on the bench? We'll see shortly I suppose.

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