These are the men battling to be in Martin O’Neill’s Euro 2016 starting XI

Who's up for an Easter rising?

Martin O'Neill has named his 40-man squad for the upcoming friendlies with Switzerland and Slovakia. The Republic of Ireland play the Swiss at the Aviva on March 25th, Good Friday, before welcoming Slovakia to Lansdowne Road on the following Tuesday, March 29th. As expected O'Neill has named a large provisional squad, which will be whittled down for the two matchdays as the manager and his assistant, Roy Keane, start to seriously consider who will make the final 23 that will travel for France. As expected there is no place for Shay Given as he continues his return from knee injury sustained in the win over Germany, however the big news is one of the midfielders included. Former Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic star Chris Forrester is enjoying a fine first season in English football with Peterborough and has been rewarded with a spot in the provisional squad for the friendlies later this month. Anthony Stokes, currently on loan to Hibs from Celtic, is also included, as are Ireland's Major League Soccer strikers, Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle. https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/708300496793116672