Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named his 25-man squad for September's World Cup qualifying triple-header against Portugal, Azerbaijan and Serbia.
Defender Nathan Collins has earned his first senior call-up after joining Premier League side Burnley from Stoke City this summer, while Norwich City defender Andrew Omobamidele and St. Mirren midfielder Jamie McGrath have also been included.
Veteran goalkeeper Darren Randolph has been left out of the squad, with Kenny instead naming Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers.
Robbie Brady, James McCarthy, Ciaran Clark and Callum Robinson have also been omitted, though Robinson may still feature if he recovers in time from his COVID-19 diagnosis.
Jason Knight, Enda Stevens, Callum O'Dowda and and Chiedozie Ogben miss out through injury, and Alan Browne misses out as the Preston midfielder is isolating as a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case.
Collins and Omobamidele join captain Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Shane Duffy, Dara O'Shea, John Egan, Ryan Manning and James McClean as Kenny's defensive options in the squad.
Josh Cullen, Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane, Harry Arter, Jayson Molumby and McGrath have been named as midfielders, with Aaron Connolly, Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, James Collins, Daryl Horgan, Shane Long and Ronan Curtis listed as forwards.
Ireland face Portugal in Faro on September 1st, before taking on Azerbaijan in Baku three days later.
The Boys in Green will then complete the international break with a clash against Serbia at the Aviva Stadium on September 7th.
https://twitter.com/_SeasonTicket/status/1430865805831405575
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Forwards: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Long (Southampton), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth).
Comments