Wigan midfielder James McCarthy has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 qualifying clash with Macedonia and the friendly with Uruguay later this month.
McCarthy’s international future was thought to be in doubt after he failed to turn up for Ireland’s Carling Nations Cup clash with Wales last month(largely Trapattoni’s fault), but he is believed to have resolved the matter in a meeting with Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and assistant boss Marco Tardelli last week.
McCarthy has been Wigan’s best player so far this season and has attracted the interest of top Premier League clubs with some accomplished performances. McCarthy has been named in a 29-man squad alongside captain Robbie Keane, who returned from injury for West Ham at the weekend, and Richard Dunne, whose participation was believed to be in doubt because of a shoulder injury.
Ireland take on Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 26 March, before hosting Uruguay in a friendly clash three days later.
Commenting on the squad; Giovanni Trapattoni said: “Macedonia is a big match for us in our aim to qualify for Euro 2012. Playing at home in the Aviva Stadium is important and we will be keen to build on our recent home performance against Wales.
“Three days later we will take on Uruguay who have announced a full strength squad to come to Dublin, including Forlan and Suarez. This will be a very good challenge for our players, particularly after Uruguay’s strong performance in South Africa last summer.”
Ireland squad: Keiren Westwood, David Forde, Kevin Foley, John O’Shea, Ciaran Clark, Seamus Coleman, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Stephen Kelly, Darren O’Dea, Kevin Kilbane, Marc Wilson, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Paul Green, Liam Lawrence, James McCarthy, Aiden McGeady, Keith Treacy, Keith Andrews, Keith Fahey, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Jonathan Walters, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Leon Best, Andy Keogh
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