Martin O’Neill cuts five players from his Ireland squad

No sign of Harry Arter, who is fit and has played the last three league games for Cardiff.

Martin O'Neill has trimmed his Ireland squad for the upcoming games against Wales and Poland. If the big news, last week, was O'Neill leaving the contemplative Declan Rice out of his 31-man squad, Arter's absence will generate headlines this time out. On loan from Bournemouth to Cardiff this season, Arter is said to be one of two players that got into a training ground row with Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane ahead of the USA friendly, this summer. Walters, who O'Neill all but confirmed was the second player who rowed with Keane, is included. Goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara is linking up with the Ireland U21s while Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK) is retained for his 'keeping services. Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Greg Cunningham (Cardiff City) also make way, as does Arter and the injured Shane Long. The absence of Long, O'Hara, Arter and Cunningham means the current Ireland squad of 26 has just eight Premier League players. Just one of the 14 midfielders and forwards in the squad plays in the Premier League. Ireland will play Wales in Cardiff on September 6 in their first Nations League tie, before travelling to Wroclaw to play Poland in a friendly on September 11. IRELAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK), Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough) Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United) Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Daryl Horgan (Hibernian), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City) Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Ipswich Town*), Graham Burke, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall)