Goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu has been handed his maiden senior call-up for the Republic of Ireland as Stephen Kenny named a 29-man squad for this month’s international fixtures.
Bazunu’s call-up comes after impressing on loan at Rochdale in their League One relegation battle, which sees him replace West Ham’s Darren Randolph who is absent with a hip injury.
Burton Albion’s Kieran O’Hara has meanwhile been recalled to provide extra options in a youthful goalkeeping selection alongside Bazunu and the retained pair of Mark Travers and Caoimhin Kelleher, which averages out at just 21.5 years-old.
Sheffield United’s John Egan is snubbed as Cyrus Christie returns in defence after missing November’s international fixtures, whilst Swansea’s Ryan Manning is again named in the squad after making his senior debut against Bulgaria in November.
Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy is out with a groin injury whilst Harry Arter and Shamrock Rovers’ Jack Byrne are snubbed.
Up front, Norwich’s Adam Idah is ruled out with a hernia and is replaced by the returning Shane Long whilst Aaron Connolly and Callum Robinson are also selected after injury and Coronavirus kept them sidelined in November.
Republic of Ireland kick off their bid to qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup with a trip to Serbia on 24 March before hosting Luxembourg on 27 March, ahead of an international friendly at home to Qatar on 30 March.
Here is the full 29-man Republic of Ireland squad for this month’s international fixtures.
Goalkeepers – Kieron O’Hara (Burton Albion), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City)
Defence – Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Shane Duffy (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Fulham), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion)
Midfield – Conor Hourihane (Swansea, on loan from Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (Preston, on loan from Brighton), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht)
Forward – Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McClean (Stoke City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O’ Dowda (Bristol City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton), Shane Long (Bournemouth, on loan from Southampton), James Collins (Luton)
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