IRELAND HEAD COACH Giovanni Trapattoni has named his squad for the clash with Wales at the Aviva Stadium on February 8 in the Carling Cup opener.

Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark has been called up in the one boost for fans hoping for fresh blood.

It will be the highly-regarded defender’s first time in the Ireland camp having been ruled out of the Norway friendly due to injury.

The squad will meet up on Sunday February 6 and will prepare for their first game of 2011.

In a statement issued by the FAI this afternoon, Trapattoni said, “I am looking forward to the opening game of the Carling Nations Cup against Wales.”

“This competition provides our players with familiar and tough opponents and the added competitive edge to the tournament is the perfect preparation for our EURO qualifying campaign.”

The full squad is: Given, Westwood, O’Shea, Clark, Coleman, Dunne, St Ledger, Foley, Kilbane, S Kelly, O’Dea, McShane, Wilson, Gibson, Whelan, Green, Lawrence, Hunt, McGeady, Treacy, Duff, Fahey, Keane, Walters, Doyle, Long, Keogh, Best, Stokes