Mark Travers will start against Serbia if Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher is ruled out of Wednesday’s World Cup opener in Serbia.
But Ireland boss Stephen Kenny believes Aaron Connolly will be fit to feature in Belgrade after his own injury scare.
Kelleher has been sidelined with an abdominal injury but will join up with the Ireland squad in Manchester on Sunday for assessment ahead of Monday’s flight.
He was one of four goalkeepers named in Kenny’s 29-man squad today, with former Shamrock Rovers youngster Gavin Bazunu included for the first time.
Bazunu, 19, has impressed on loan at Rochdale from Manchester City but Kenny indicated that Bournemouth No 2 Travers - capped twice - will start if Kelleher is missing.
“Mark is the next one in and he had that loan spell at Swindon before being recalled.
“Gavin is a brilliant young prospect and Kieran O’Hara has been in the squad before. They are the best goalkeepers we have.”
Darren Randolph, Ireland’s established No 1, is out with a thigh injury and Kenny said: “I can see why people would be concerned with the lack of experience.
“Darren has been a very consistent player for Ireland but Caoimhin has played ten Under-21 internationals for me.
“He has played five games for Liverpool this season, and two of those were in the Champions League, so he’s used to big games.”
Keiren Westwood was unavailable for selection despite returning to the Sheffield Wednesday team in the past week.
Kenny said: “Keiren isn’t available at the moment. He had broken ribs and it was a surprise to see him in a team sheet last week.
“I spoke to him to check and he said he can’t really train. He’s putting himself on the line to get through matches.
“He is keen to play for Ireland but in his own words he is only 60% fit at the moment.”
But Kenny is upbeat about Connolly’s prospects despite the Brighton forward being laid low with a rib injury.
“I think Aaron will be okay. He has a fractured rib but has resumed training and will come back in.
“James McClean is in the early days of his rehab (after a foot injury) and it’s too early to predict that.”
Troy Parrott, who is on loan at Ipswich from Tottenham, is included in the squad proper for just the second time under Kenny.
But he won’t start in Serbia, with Kenny added: “It’s fair to say he’s unlikely to.
“Nobody gives you anything in life, you have to earn it and nothing goes swimmingly unless you hit the ground running, like maybe Haaland at Dortmund.
“But Troy is there for the three games and he’s a very valuable member of the squad.”
Republic of Ireland squad - Serbia, Luxembourg & Qatar
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Kieran O'Hara (Burton Albion).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Swansea City, on loan from Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (Preston North End, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Jason Knight (Derby County), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht).
Wingers: Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McClean (Stoke City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City).
Strikers: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Shane Long (AFC Bournemouth, on loan from Southampton), James Collins (Luton Town), Troy Parrott (Ipswich Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).
