FOOTBALLER James McClean is expected to wear the number five shirt for the Republic of Ireland against Wales game tomorrow night in memory of Derry City captain Ryan McBride.
The 27-year-old centre-back, whose funeral takes place this morning in Derry, was found dead at his home in the Bluebell Hill Gardens area of Derry on Sunday.
Family friends said he had gone for a nap on Sunday after training. His partner Mairead became concerned when she was unable to reach him by phone and asked his sister to waken him. The cause of his death is unknown.
Fellow Derry man McClean described his friend as a "warrior that literally would throw his body on the line" and "more importantly a big gentleman off the field".
The West Brom player is to be excused from training with Martin O'Neill's squad in order to attend the funeral this morning.
Derry is expected to come to a standstill today as the city's St Columba's Church, Long Tower, witnesses funerals for both McBride and the former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Requiem Mass for the footballer will be celebrated at 10am this morning, followed by burial at Derry City Cemetery.
President Michael D Higgins, is also expected to be amongst the mourners.
Richard Keogh, who normally wears the number five jersey for the Irish team, has agreed to McClean's request to pay tribute.
Republic supporters have also been urged to join in a minute's applause in the fifth minute of the match on Friday, while Northern Ireland fans are set to pay their own tribute with a minute's applause before Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Norway in Belfast.
Republic boss Martin O'Neill said: "I didn't know the young lad personally myself, but James McClean is a very good friend of his. James is devastated by the news, obviously his family is as well. It's a really tragic event.
"James, who is probably the closest to him and his family, if there's anything that he feels he wants to do, then I would certainly give him the time to do so."
On Monday evening, hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Derry as McBride was carried home by his teammates.
Family friends said McBride's partner, Mairead, became concerned when she was unable to reach him by phone on Sunday, after he went for a nap following training.
She asked his sister to waken him, at which point he was found dead.
McBride, who was born and bred in Derry, lived just yards from the club's Brandywell Stadium and passed up opportunities to move to clubs in England, stating he wished to play for his home team.
He made his debut for the club in 2011 and just last year had signed a contract extension to keep him at Derry until the end of the 2018 season.
