James McCarthy and Jonathan Walters have been left out of the Ireland squad for the crucial double header with Slovakia and Russia next month.
Both players were absent from the squad for the Carling Nations Cup and the friendlies with Italy and Croatia over the summer and it would seem to have cost them a place in the squad for games that are crucial to Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine next year.
Marc Wilson and Ciaran Clark are also notable absentees from the 25-man panel, while Paul McShane and Seamus Coleman miss out through injury.
McCarthy withdrew from the squad for the Croatia clash with an ankle injury, but it hasn’t affected his participation in both of Wigan’s Premier League games so far this season.
The FAI issued a statement which stated that McCarthy would be “made available for selection for the under-21 squad, but like other players, will be called up to the senior squad should he be required”. Noel King’s side take on Hungary in Sligo on 2 September, the day before Ireland’s clash with Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium.
His absence from the squad is the latest episode in what has been an eventful Irish career so far. After his international future was secured with an all too brief cameo appearance from the bench in the qualifier against Macedonia earlier this year, the talented Scottish born midfielder has barely featured in an Irish jersey since.
Questions about his commitment to the cause have been raised because of his withdrawal from a number of international squads, which have tested the patience of manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
John O’Shea and Aiden McGeady have both been included in the squad despite doubts over their fitness, while Robbie Keane will make the trip across the Atlantic for the games, hopefully in good form after a goalscoring start for new club LA Galaxy in the United States.
Speaking about the squad announcement, Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni said: “Picking the final 25 players for the squad has not been an easy task, and unfortunately some players have been left out.
“We will continue to monitor their progress with their clubs, and call them up if necessary.”
Ireland squad: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Kevin Kilbane (Derby), Sean St. Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O’Dea (Leeds Utd), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Darron Gibson (Manchester Utd), Keith Andrews (Ipswich), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), Andy Keogh (Leeds Utd), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), Keith Treacy (Burnley), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long (WBA), Simon Cox (WBA).
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
