Stephen Kenny names 25-man Ireland squad for Belgium and Lithuania games

Ireland have named a 25-man squad.

Stephen Kenny announced his Republic of Ireland 25-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania at the end of March. Ireland kick start their 2022 fixtures with two home games at the Aviva Stadium. It is the perfect opportunity for Kenny to experiment with his squad and possibly raise Ireland's coefficient ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifying draw.

Ireland squad for friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania.

Ireland will play Belgium on Saturday, March 26 at the Aviva Stadium in a glamour-friendly. Kenny's side then take on Lithuania at home on Monday, March 29. Goalkeepers Mark Travers, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Gavin Bazunu will contest the friendlies in hope of winning Ireland's number one spot for the Nations League games in June. Swansea striker Michael Obafemi has been left out of the squad. The Swansea striker has scored six goals in his last nine appearances, and is arguably Ireland's most in-form centre forward, but has not been included in Kenny's selection. Meanwhile, Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes has received his first call-up to the squad following switching nationalities from Northern Ireland. As does Connor Ronan, who is currently on loan with St Mirren from Wolverhampton Wanderers. You can see the full Ireland squad below. Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth). Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers). Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (QPR, on loan from Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Mark Sykes (Oxford United). Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Connor Ronan (St. Mirren, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers).

---