Mick McCarthy has reshuffled the pack ahead of facing Switzerland after being hit by a spate of withdrawals.
James McCarthy, Sean Maguire, Matt Doherty and Keiren Westwood are out of Thursday’s big Euro 2020 clash at Aviva Stadium.
So Luton Town’s James Collins, Fulham’s Cyrus Christie and Kieran O’Hara, who is on loan at Burton from Manchester United, are drafted in as cover.
Crystal Palace midfielder McCarthy has told Ireland boss McCarthy that he does not feel up to speed for a high stakes international following his time on the sidelines.
It is nearly three years since the former Everton man played for Ireland and McCarthy said: “I’ve spoken at length to James. He has recently moved and is only back playing.
“James is completely free of injury but the intensity of the Switzerland game was always going to be too much for James and we discussed that.
“Like James, Keiren Westwood will work away at his club and we will see how they are before we go to Georgia and Switzerland next month.”
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Westwood has pulled out of yet another squad, this time with the knee injury that has dogged him from time to time.
Preston striker Maguire is ruled out after suffering a freak eye injury in training with the Championship club.
The Kilkenny man was struck in the face by a ball this week and missed yesterday’s draw at Nottingham Forest.
McCarthy has decided against a reprieve for experienced but out-of-favour Shane Long and Maguire is replaced by Luton Town’s Collins.
Wolves wing-back Doherty missed today’s defeat at Everton because of an injury and manager Nuno Espirito Santo said he will have a ‘small’ operation.
Christie - a favourite under Martin O’Neill - replaces him in a first call-up since McCarthy took charge.
The players will gather at the team hotel in Dublin tonight ahead of training tomorrow and McCarthy said: “It’s hard on the four players to miss out for a game as big as this.”
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Kieran O'Hara (Burton Albion - on loan from Manchester United)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Sheffield United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Glenn Whelan (Hearts), Josh Cullen (Charlton Athletic - on loan from West Ham United), James McClean (Stoke City), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)
Forwards: Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), James Collins (Luton Town), Scott Hogan (Stoke City - on loan from Aston Villa), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United)
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
