Stephen Elliott, the hat-trick hero of the Republic of Ireland's 5-1 victory over Poland in Gdansk last month, retains his place in Don Givens' under-21 squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland.
Elliott was also in the side that defeated Russia 2-0 in the last qualifying game in Waterford in early September.
Givens has left out nine of the players who were involved in the squad for Waterford as he brings in seven newcomers, all of whom are young enough to be included in Gerry Smith's squad for the World Youth Championship finals in the United Arab Emirates in November.
Those finals were due to have been played in May but were postponed by FIFA because of the outbreak of the Sars virus.
Called up for the first time by Givens for the Under-21 squad are: goalkeeper Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa), John Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Kendrick (1860 Munich), Kevin Foley (Luton Town), Derek Potter (Liverpool), Paul Keegan (Leeds United) and Jonathon Walters (Bolton Wanderers).
The nine players who were in the squad for the Russia game and who have been omitted this time are : goalkeeper Saul Deeney (Notts County), Clifford Byrne (Scunthorpe United), Colin Cryan (Sheffield United), Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Thomas Butler (Sunderland), Liam Miller (Celtic), Michael Doyle (Coventry City), Graham Barrett (Coventry City) and Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest).
The three eircom League players who were in the squad in Waterford are back in again, Waterford United goalkeeper Daniel Connor, Shelbourne midfielder Wes Hoolahan and Cork City striker John O'Flynn.
Ireland will take on Switzerland in Neuchatel on Friday, October 10, 2003, kick-off is at 5.00 p.m. Irish time.
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr will name his senior squad on Thursday next, (October 2nd) for the European 2004 Championship qualifier against Switzerland which takes place in Basel on Saturday, October 11th. Kick-off there will be 4.30 p.m. Irish time.
The U-21 squad is:
Goalkeepers
Daniel Connor (Waterford), Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa)
Defenders
Stephen Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur) John Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), John Thompson (Nottingham Forest), Stephen Capper (Scarborough), Joe Kendrick (1860 Munich)
Midfielders
Patrick Kohlmann (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Foley (Luton Town), Sean Thornton (Sunderland), Wesley Hoolahan (Shelbourne), Stephen Elliott (Manchester City), Derek Potter (Liverpool)
Forwards
Paul Keegan (Leeds United), Kevin O'Connor (Brentford), Jonathon Daly (Stockport County), John O'Flynn (Cork City), Jonathon Walters (Bolton Wanderers)
ManagerDon Givens CoachBilly Young