Accrington Stanley's Ryan Cassidy will join up with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Iceland and Luxembourg.
Cassidy replaces Dundee's Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi, who has been ruled out of the double-header by injury.
While the striker was part of manager Jim Crawford’s training camp in Belfast in August, this will be his first call-up to the squad for the Dubliner, who signed a new two-year deal with Watford in July prior to going out on loan to the League One outfit.
Italy lead Ireland at the top of the Group A on goal difference after recording a 2-0 victory when the sides met in Pisa in October, with Sweden and Iceland one point in arrears. However, both Italy and Iceland have a game in hand.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers)
Defenders: Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (Queens Park Rangers), Mark McGuinness (Ipswich Town, on loan from Arsenal), Danny McNamara (St Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Thomas O’Connor (Gillingham, on loan from Southampton), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Luca Connell (Celtic), Will Ferry (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Danny Mandroiu (Bohemians), Connor Ronan (Grasshopper Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Anthony Scully (Lincoln City), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United)
Forwards: Ryan Cassidy (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Watford), Zack Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Danny Grant (Bohemians), Joshua Kayode (Carlisle United, on loan from Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Troy Parrott (Millwall, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifiers
15 November Republic of Ireland v Iceland, Tallaght Stadium, 12.30pm
18 November Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland, Beggen, 4.30pm
