Shane Duffy suspended, Callum O’Dowda and Harry Arter in.
Shay Given has retired from international football for a second time, while the injured trio of John O’Shea, Jeff Hendrick and Seamus Coleman are to be assessed – but Martin O’Neill has managed to keep a fairly settled squad for the upcoming friendly with Oman (August 31st) and opening World Cup 2018 qualifier away to Serbia (September 5th).
There are returns to the 28-man squad for Harry Arter, Callum O’Dowda, Alex Pearce, David Forde, Paul McShane and Eunan O’Kane, who all missed out on selection for Euro 2016 for a variety of reasons.
Shane Duffy, who has had a difficult start to the season at Blackburn, is one notable absentee from the Euro 2016 squad. The Derryman was terrific in the 1-0 win over Italy in Lille, but was sent off in the defeat to France and is subsequently unavailable for the trip to Belgrade.
Aiden McGeady remains part of O’Neill’s plans despite his uncertain situation at Everton, while these games come too soon for injured, soon to be Newcastle team-mates, Rob Elliott and Alan Judge.
Robbie Keane is set to extend his record-breaking international career after being named as one of the four strikers in the squad, which will meet up in Dublin after this weekend’s league action.
BREAKING: Martin O'Neill has announced his squad for the upcoming games against Oman and Serbia! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/c9oq3G9N7l
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) August 24, 2016
On the latest GAA Hour we look back at Mayo-Tipperary and chat to Andy Moran about his incredible, never-ending career. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
