Kenny names his squad for Azerbaijan and Qatar fixtures
STEPHEN Kenny has named his 26-man Republic of Ireland squad for the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan and the international friendly against Qatar.
The Tallaght native welcomes back Drimnagh man Enda Stevens after the Sheffield United left-full was ruled out of last month’s international fixtures through injury.
Also back in the Ireland set-up are Derby County midfielder Jason Knight and Rotherham United winger Chiedozie Ogbene, while former Cherry Orchard defender Nathan Collins will be hoping for some game time.
But injury means former Templeogue College student Dara O’Shea along with team captain Seamus Coleman are missing from the line-up this time around.
Firhouse man Gavin Bazunu appears to have cemented his place as Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper and he is back in the squad alongside fellow stop-stoppers Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool) and Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Ireland are set to travel to Baku for their qualifier against Azerbaijan on Saturday, October 9 before returning to Dublin to take on Qatar on Tuesday, October 12 at the Aviva Stadium.
Republic of Ireland Squad v Azerbaijan / v Qatar
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jason Knight (Derby County).
Attackers: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United).
