Ronan Curtis again surplus to requirements for Republic of Ireland ahead of returning to ease Portsmouth striker crisis

The Pompey winger was left on the bench in Eire’s 1-1 draw against Qatar in Hungary this evening.

Curtis had been left out of the Republic’s match-day squads for 2022 World Cup qualifying defeats to Serbia and Luxembourg last week.

The ex-Derry man was among the substitutes for tonight’s friendly but was not used by manager Stephen Kenny.

Curtis will now fly back to England this evening ahead of Pompey’s visit of Rochdale on Good Friday.

He will ease Danny Cowley’s striker crisis with John Marquis suspended and Ellis Harrison and Jordy Hiwula both injured.