Giovanni Trapattoni has refused to include in-form Celtic striker Anthony Stokes in his 25-man Ireland squad for a friendly with Croatia next week.
Ireland host their European counterparts at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, 10 August and Il Trap has been forced to leave out a few big names due to club commitments.
“I intend to use the game against Croatia at Aviva Stadium next week to have the confirmation of a few options ahead of our September matches against Slovakia and Russia,” Trapattoni said.
“Liam Lawrence and Kevin Kilbane have been excused for club commitments, while John O’Shea, Aiden McGeady, Paul Mc Shane and Kevin Foley have picked up injuries and will also be excused.”
Republic of Ireland squad to play Croatia:
Given (Man City), Westwood (Sunderland), Forde (Millwall); Kelly (Fulham), Dunne (Aston Villa), St Ledger (Leicester), O’Dea (Celtic), Delaney (Ipswich); Ward (Wolves), Coleman (Everton), Gibson (Manchester United), Whelan (Stoke), Andrews (Blackburn), Fahey (Birmingham), Hunt (Wolves), McCarthy (Wigan), Treacy (Preston), Wilson (Stoke), Duff (Fulham); Keogh (Wolves), Keane (Tottenham), Doyle (Wolves), Walters (Stoke), Long (Reading), Cox (West Brom).
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