CHELSEA STARLET CONOR CLIFFORD has been handed a shock international call-up after a spate of injuries and withdrawals decimated the Republic of Ireland senior squad.
With Darron Gibson and Glenn Whelan the only fit central midfielders available to Giovanni Trapattoni, the 19-year-old midfielder has been promoted to the panel as emergency cover for tomorrow’s friendly against Croatia.
Before joining up with his elders, Clifford will first line out at Sligo’s Showgrounds where Noel King’s U21s take on Austria this evening.
Earlier today, King announced his starting XI for the friendly, handing Manchester United winger Robbie Brady his third cap at U21 level.
There is no place in the starting line-up for either of the Airtricity League representatives, however, with Shamrock Rovers’ Enda Stevens and Dundalk’s Daniel Kearns both named among the substitutes.
Republic of Ireland U21: McLoughlin (MK Dons), Connolly (Bolton), Kiernan (Wigan), Canavan (Scunthorpe), Gunning (Blackburn), Towell (Celtic), Hendrick (Derby), Clifford (Chelsea), Brady (Manchester Utd), White (Leeds), Doran (Inverness CT).
