DERBY COUNTY MIDFIELDER Jason Knight has been called up to Stephen Kenny’s senior Republic of Ireland squad from the U21s after confirmation that Harry Arter will miss out on Sunday’s trip to Wales and Wednesday’s home encounter with Bulgaria in the Uefa Nations League.
Central defender John Egan will also miss the rest of the international window following a head injury suffered during Ireland’s 3-0 defeat to England in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday, with Newcastle’s Ciaran Clark and Blackburn’s Darragh Lenihan both linking up with Kenny’s squad on Saturday to bolster his defensive options.
As had previously been indicated, Jack Byrne, Josh Cullen and Ryan Manning have also joined up with the squad ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Wales in Cardiff (5pm, Sky Sports Football).
Jim Crawford’s U21s squad are also in action tomorrow, hosting Iceland in a European qualifier (12:30pm, eir Sport 1). As well as losing Knight ahead of that fixture, Crawford will also have to make do without Luca Connell who has been ruled out through injury.
St Patrick’s Athletic’s Jamie Lennon has been drafted into the 21s squad following the loss of both midfielders.
Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Long (Burnley), Shane Duffy (Celtic), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Jason Knight (Derby County), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht).
Attackers: James McClean (Stoke City), Adam Idah (Norwich City), James Collins (Luton Town), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Sean Maguire (Preston North End).
