The Republic of Ireland Under-21s received a big boost ahead of a crucial triple-header of games that will shape their European Championships fate, after the FAI confirmed Derby County defender Eiran Cashin has been given clearance to play.
Jim Crawford's side host Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tallaght tonight at 7.30pm (live on RTÉ2).
Crawford has been keen to bring in commanding centre-half Cashin, who qualifies for Ireland through a grandparent.
It's taken time to get the necessary paperwork over the line but Cashin - who played 18 times for Wayne Rooney's Rams last season - has finally got the green light and he could feature this evening.
He has been part of preparations having linked up with the camp this week.
In March, Rooney lauded the 20-year-old Mansfield man, saying: "I think Cashin has been incredible. His performances are way beyond his years - he deserves a lot of praise."
The Boys in Green sit third in the table on 13 points, with Sweden and Italy level at the top on 17 points. Ireland however have two games in hand on the Swedes.
Their most recent result was an impressive 2-0 win away to Sweden in March, Ross Tierney and Tyreik Wright scoring the goals.
The Italians, currently unbeaten, sit top of the table and appear favourites to take the automatic qualifying spot, with Ireland and Sweden locked in battle for the play-off places.
On Bank Holiday Monday, Ireland will again have home advantage when Montenegro visit Tallaght Stadium, before Crawford’s side head to Ascoli where they take on Italy in their final game in Group F on Tuesday, 14 June.
Wolves' Joe Hodge and Crystal Palace's Tayo Adaramola have been called up for the first time, while there are seven League of Ireland players in the squad in Brian Maher, Dawson Devoy, Andy Lyons, Luke McNicholas, David Harrington, Darragh Burns and Liam Kerrigan.
Crawford has confirmed that they would not be released back to their clubs before the Italy game.
Ireland beat Bosnia & Herzegovina away in September, but lost away to Montenegro, so there is expected to be little between the teams over the next two games.
Senior manager Stephen Kenny will be keeping an eye on proceedings from afar with a Nations League contest against Armenia to prepare for, but given his confidence in young players coming through from the Under-21 ranks, Crawford says all the players are keen to showcase their talents to harbour senior ambitions.
"There has been a lot said about nine Under-21 players that have been promoted to the senior team," he said.
"There are quite a number of players that are involved in the group now, having spoken to them all numerous times, that’s where they want to go.
"They see that there is a visible pathway for them to get into the senior team.
"If they can come to the 21s, put in positive performances, and then go back to their club and build on that, there’s every opportunity that they can get called up into the senior squad."
A huge European Championships qualifier for the Republic of Ireland U21s against Bosnia and Herzegovina tonight - watch it live on @RTE2 and the @RTEplayer from 7pm, follow live updates on RTÉ Sport Online or the RTÉ News app #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/LA6ltofuoX
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 3, 2022
Watch live coverage of the Republic of Ireland v Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Under-21 European Championships qualifiers on RTÉ2 from 7pm
