Shane Duffy’s lack of exposure at Fulham was not a factor in Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny excluding the veteran defender from the Irish squad for upcoming friendlies against Norway and Malta.
“Shane is left out of the squad for personal reasons,” Kenny revealed at today’s announcement of the 26-man panel. “I think it’s been well documented that he’s not played many games, he’s in the prime of his career, a 30-year-old centre-back, so when he gets playing regular football, he’ll excel again.”
Duffy has only clocked a series of one minute appearances off the bench in the Premier League this season, since Brighton and Hove Albion sent him out on loan.
“You remember his performance against Portugal at home here, a really outstanding performance,” Kenny continued. “He just needs regular football but that’s not the reason on this one. He’d have been in the squad. This is one for personal reasons.”
Kenny has promoted teenage striker Evan Ferguson and Stoke City’s attacking midfielder Will Smallbone from the under-21 panel.
Ferguson (18), who has featured for Brighton in the Premier League, and Smallbone, on loan from Southampton, were stand out performers during the under-21s recent European Championships qualification campaign, although their skipper Conor Coventry misses out despite impressing recently for West Ham United in the Europa Conference League.
Injuries to older Irish strikers Adam Idah, Troy Parrott and Will Keane gives Ferguson the chance to enhance a growing reputation, ever since he played for Bohemians at age 14.
“I know it’s an early promotion for Evan,” said Kenny. “I suppose the way I have to look at it: if Evan goes on loan in January, which is quite possible, between March and June, which is a key time for us, we can’t predict how he will do, but if he went and did well and got regular game time and scored goals, he could easily come into the picture.
“He scores different types of goals, he scores great headed goals which is rare enough now, we are not producing that type of player. He’s a natural goal scorer and it will be good experience for him in the squad.”
Ferguson has stiff competitive to win a first cap in Dublin as Scott Hogan (9 goals), Will Keane (7), Michael Obafemi (3) and Chiedozie Ogbene (5) have all made notable impacts in the English Championship.
There are four League of Ireland players on stand-by, Shamrock Rovers trio Rory Gaffney, Dan Cleary and Neil Farrugia along with Derry City goalkeeper Brian Maher.
Jamie McGrath is a welcome return to the midfield group, having revived his club career at Dundee United, as Derby County pair Conor Hourihane and Jason Knight are excluded mainly because Fifa have not made this a full international window, so the League One club can keep their players for upcoming fixtures.
“I have no idea why it isn’t a fully sanctioned window that we can demand everyone [is released]. They have competitive matches, but from our point of view playing for your country is the pinnacle of your career, and should be above everything. Ideally we want everyone here but there’s nothing we can do.”
Smallbone or McGrath could profit by coming straight into the starting XI to face Erling Haaland’s Norway at the Aviva stadium next Thursday as Kenny likes to include a creative number 10 in midfield.
Many of the 45,000 ticket holders next week are coming to see Haaland but the Manchester City centre forward’s availability is 50-50.
“Erling’s physical situation as of now is a bit uncertain,” said Norway manager Stale Solbakken, “but we have in no way given up on him taking part in at least one of these matches.”
Norway host Finland three days after the Ireland game.
“He is a phenomenon,” said Kenny of the 22 year old’s 21 goals from 23 caps. “He is a very exciting player, he has electric speed and incredible capacity to score goals, and physical strength. His goal ratio with Dortmund and Norway was really high, and he has followed that up with Man City which isn’t a surprise considering the level of player around him. You have other good players like Odegaard, a terrific player, Norway have some really good players.
“From our point of view it’s good preparation for France in March, I feel, that’s a very important game for us in March. We have got to make sure we are ready then, and this game is good preparation for that.”
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough), Liam Scales (Aberdeen, on loan from Celtic), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jeff Hendrick (Reading, on loan from Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton), Jamie McGrath (Dundee United).
Forwards: Michael Obafemi (Swansea City), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City).
Fixtures - November 17th - Republic of Ireland v Norway, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm. November 20th - Malta v Republic of Ireland, Ta’Quli National Stadium, 7pm.
