West Ham have pulled Mipo Odubeko out of the Ireland Under-21 squad to face Wales in a friendly this week.
The young Hammers striker, who made two FA Cup appearances earlier this year, has recently returned from an injury.
And the FAI said the decision was made ‘in the best interest of the player’.
“As a result of his busy training and match schedule, both parties agreed that it would be beneficial for him to continue working with his club at this time,” said a spokesman.
Stoke City forward Ethon Varian has replaced Odubeko in Jim Crawford’s squad for the clash in Wrexham on Friday (1.00pm).
Crawford has also added Celtic’s Luca Connell - who joined Scottish League Two side Queens Park on loan this week - as cover for Conor Coventry who was drafted into the senior Ireland squad on Sunday.
And Norwich City goalkeeper Sam Blair is called-up to replace Schalke’s Dan Rose who misses out because of Covid-19 travel restrictions that are in place in Germany.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), Sam Blair (Norwich)
Defenders: Shane Flynn (Leicester City), Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Mark McGuinness (Ipswich Town on loan from Arsenal), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers on loan from Celtic), Mason O’Malley (Scunthorpe United), Lewis Richards (Wolves).
Midfielders: Luca Connell (Queen’s Park on loan from Celtic) Conor Grant (Rochdale), Dawson Devoy (Bohemians), Alex Gilbert (Brentford), Conor Noss (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Louie Watson (Derby County).
Forwards: Jonathan Afolabi (Dundee on loan from Celtic), Will Ferry (Southampton), Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth), Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode (Carlisle United on loan from Rotherham United) Ethon Varian (Stoke City), Tyreik Wright (Walsall on loan from Aston Villa).
