Millwall striker Aiden O’Brien is a surprise inclusion in Martin O’Neill’s provisional Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales next month, with Scott Hogan also getting the call six weeks after declaring for the country of his grandparents’ birth.
But the loss of Jon Walters is a major headache for the manager ahead of the do-or-die collisions.
O’Brien has been capped from U17 to U21 level with Ireland. He’s scored twice in the Championship this term, and played a key part in the Lions promotion-winning season last season, shining in the League One play-off final victory over Bradford.
Aston Villa frontman Hogan, born in Salford, was not named in the squad for the games against Georgia and Serbia but had been waiting on his documentation to come through.
Hogan signed for Villa from Brentford for a reported £15m last January having scored 14 times in 25 Championship games for the Bees. He’s notched three League Cup goals this season.
O’Neill was buoyed by the availability of the 25-year-old - "It’s nice after he got the paperwork through" – but admits losing Walters is a major setback.
The hard-working forward has been struggling with a knee problem that has caused him to miss Burnley’s last two games and O’Neill expects him to be out for "a number of weeks. (Losing Walters) is a real blow to us."
Whether that gives one of the new men a chance to shine remains to be seen.
Former Cork City striker Sean Maguire has also been called into the panel and O’Neill is keen to look at the positives.
He said he’ll be at the Den tonight to watch O’Brien in action against Reading, adding: "Since he’s got promoted he’s improved his game. It’s a boost for him to be in the squad and it gives him a chance.
"He’s improved his game and is certainly worth consideration.
"It’ll be nice to bring these young players in and give them a chance.
"We’ve two games… Moldova first. We can’t even think about the second game"
Midfielder Jeff Hendrick and forward David McGoldrick both return after missing the games against Georgia and Serbia. However, Greg Cunningham misses out with a knee injury.
While both Robbie Brady and James McClean are suspended for the Moldova game, they are expected to link up with the squad when the players report into camp on Monday, October 2.
Ireland face Moldova at Aviva Stadium on Friday, October 6 and are away to Wales in Cardiff the following Monday. They are likely to need six points to have any chance of qualifying for Russia.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Colin Doyle (Bradford City)
Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley)
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McCarthy (Everton), David Meyler (Hull City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Jonathan Hayes (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End)
Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall)
