Aaron Connolly handed first Premier League start for Tottenham Hotspur clash

Republic of Ireland under-21 star Aaron Connolly has been named in the starting line-up for the first time in the Premier League as Brighton & Hove Albion take on Tottenham Hotspur.

The Galway native has made four substitute appearances in the Premier League to date and started twice in the EFL Cup this season and is now set to make his full debut in the top tier of English football.

19-year-old Connolly has established himself as a key figure in Stephen Kenny’s under-21 squad and was unfortunate to miss a penalty in the 3-1 defeat of Sweden last month.

He scored his first senior goal for the Seagulls in his first appearance of the season, a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup.

Former Mervue United striker Connolly, who appeared in the first season of the under-19 National League, is highly-rated at Brighton and spent an injury-hit spell on loan at Luton Town last season.