Sunderland striker Michael Reddy has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for tomorrow’s friendly against Denmark after failing a fitness test on a heel injury.
It means only a second U-21 cap for his replacement, Millwall's Richard Sadlier, whose clubmate Stephen Reid makes his debut in midfield against the Danes as Sheffield Wednesday's Alan Quinn is another non-starter through injury.
Quinn and Celtic's Liam Miller pulled out of manager Don Givens' squad last night and he has called up Shaun Byrne, the young West Ham player who has just started a loan-spell with Huddersfield Town, and Shelbourne's Richie Foran. Both will be among the substitutes.
Reddy, currently on loan with second division Swindon, reported an achilles strain before training with the Irish squad today.
And Givens, who had also lost another likely striker in Tottenham's Gary Doherty to the Ireland senior squad who meet Denmark on Wednesday, said: "Hopefully it's not too serious but it would not be fair to take a risk with Michael's fitness."
Republic of Ireland Under-21 team: Delaney (Port Vale); Lynch (Leeds), Gavin (Middlesbrough), O'Shea (Royal Antwerp), Clarke (Stoke); Healy (Celtic), B Quinn (Coventry, capt), O'Connor (Stoke), Reid (Millwall); Sadlier (Millwall), George (Luton).
Substitutes:McGrath (Aston Villa), Foy (Nottm For), Byrne (Huddersfield), Foran (Shelbourne), Thompson (Nottm For) Baker (Shelbourne), Roche (Nottm For).
PA