YOUNG LIVERPOOL GOALKEEPER Caoimhin Kelleher is the only change in Noel King’s 18-man Ireland U21 squad for their qualifier with Norway in Drammen next Tuesday.
The Cork stopper, who turns 19 in a fortnight, replaces Nottingham Forest’s Liam Bossin who has been ruled out through injury.
Former Ringmahon Ranger Kelleher was name-checked by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp when the German justified ruling out a move for Joe Hart in the spring, and has impressed at Prenton Park since moving to Merseyside in the summer of 2015.
Unbeaten Ireland currently sit top of Group 5 on 10 points having claimed three wins out of their opening four matches, a 0-0 draw with Norway in the corresponding fixture the only minor blot on their copybook to date.
The Norwegians for their part, who count much-hyped Real Madrid talent Martin Ødegaard among their ranks, backed that result up with a 3-1 victory over Germany five days later, with the Herenveen loanee getting on the scoresheet.
Ireland manager Noel King said: King said: “The squad is really looking forward to meeting up later in the week and starting our preparations for the trip to Norway.
“As the Norwegians proved in the game in October, they are a very good team who will provide us with a difficult test. The players have started the campaign brilliantly and to be in the position at the top of the table after four games is fantastic and a credit to them.
“Norway will be boosted by their 3-1 victory against Germany and nobody is in doubt about the enormity of the challenge we face but given the levels these lads have reached, nothing would surprise me from them.”
Republic of Ireland Under 21 Squad
Goalkeepers: Kieran O’Hara (Manchester United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool)
Defenders: Danny Kane (Huddersfield Town), Ryan Sweeney (Stoke City, on loan at Bristol Rovers), Shaun Donnellan (West Bromwich Albion, on loan at Walsall), Corey Whelan (Liverpool), Ryan Delaney (Burton Albion)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (West Ham, on loan at Bolton Wanderers), Harry Charsley (Everton), Conor Shaugnessey (Leeds United), Liam Kinsella (Walsall), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jake Mulraney (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Connor Ronan (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Attackers: Reece Grego-Cox (QPR), Ryan Manning (QPR), Ronan Curtis (Derry City), Joe Quigley (Bournemouth, on loan at Newport County)
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