Mick McCarthy has named a 24-man squad for the Republic of Ireland's EURO 2020 qualifiers against Georgia and Switzerland this month.
There is no place for either Spurs' 17-year-old striker Troy Parrott or Brighton star Aaron Connolly. Blackburn Rovers duo Darragh Lenihan and Greg Cunningham do make the cut.
Cunningham trained with the squad in Portugal in the summer and was involved for the draw in Denmark and the home win against Gibraltar.
Shamrock Rovers star Jack Byrne retains his place, as do fellow debutants Josh Cullen, James Collins, Mark Travers, and Kieran O’Hara.
Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick is also sidelined, while there is no place for Robbie Brady, Shane Long, or James McCarthy.
McCarthy has a few selection issues - Derby County captain Richard Keogh is out long-term with a knee injury sustained in a car accident, while his usual international central defensive partner Shane Duffy is also sidelined.
The manager has told FAI.ie that he will make some late calls on the team for the away qualifiers.
“I won’t even start thinking about the team for that game until the players turn up at the Hotel on Sunday and I see who we have available.
Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has named a 24-man squad for the @UEFAEURO Qualifiers away to Georgia and Switzerland later this month
➡️ https://t.co/WAQze6xsbe #GEOIRL #SUIIRL pic.twitter.com/jjlJk2YcJ3— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 1, 2019
“We have injuries and suspensions and I know that better than anyone. But there’s nothing I can do about them. It happens in football.
“That’s why we changed almost the entire team for the Bulgaria game last month and look how well the players who came in like Josh, Alan Browne, John Egan, and Kevin Long did.
“They put their hands up for selection and gave me something to think about. Now it’s time to think about them for Georgia and I look forward to getting back on the training ground on Monday and starting the countdown to these two massive games in earnest.”
McCarthy has spoken too of the ability of Ewood Park pair Lenihan and Cunningham.
“Terry Connor has been to watch Darragh and Greg play for Blackburn and they have shown him they will be good additions for this squad."
“Enda Stevens is suspended for the game in Tbilisi against Georgia and Greg is one of the most experienced left-backs available to us. He was with us in the summer and he knows what we want.
“We’ve watched Darragh a number of times and Terry and the other scouts like his footballing ability. He has been in and around the squad before so I look forward to working with him.”
McCarthy's side take on Georgia on Saturday, October 12th in Tbilisi, before a trip to take on the Swiss the following Tuesday evening.
Republic of Ireland Squad:
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Kieran O’Hara (Burton Albion, on loan from Manchester United)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Kevin Long (Burnley), John Egan (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Greg Cunningham (Blackburn Rovers), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Browne (Preston North End), Josh Cullen (Charlton Athletic, on loan from West Ham United), Glenn Whelan (Heart of Midlothian), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McClean (Stoke City), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers)
Forwards: James Collins (Luton Town), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Scott Hogan (Stoke City, on loan from Aston Villa)
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