Luton hotshot James Collins has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad, days after he left out of the 25-man set-up for two forthcoming internationals.
The striker, who scored his third of the campaign in Saturday’s 2-1 Championship win over Huddersfield, had been selected as part of a provisional 40-man Irish squad, but missed out when manager Mick McCarthy whittled that down to 25.
Now, with injuries to Sean Maguire (eye), Matt Doherty (knee), Keiren Westwood (knee) and James McCarthy, Collins has been drafted in from the standby list, along with Fulham defender Cyrus Christie and Burton Albion goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara.
Collins is yet to make his senior Ireland debut but will now hope to do so in either the Euro 2020 qualifier against Switzerland on Thursday or the friendly against Bulgaria the following Tuesday, both held at the Aviva Stadium
Irish boss McCarthy said: “It is hard on the four players to miss out for a game as big as the Switzerland match.
“We have a 24-strong squad now with James, Cyrus and Kieran coming in and we will get to work on Monday.”
The Ireland squad assembled at the team base in Dublin this afternoon and will begin training at the FAI National Training Centre on Monday.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Kieran O’Hara (Burton Albion – on loan from Manchester United)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Sheffield United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United).
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Glenn Whelan (Hearts), Josh Cullen (Charlton Athletic – on loan from West Ham United), James McClean (Stoke City), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), James Collins (Luton Town), Scott Hogan (Stoke City – on loan from Aston Villa), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United).
