Republic of Ireland manager Noel King feels Jeff Hendrick can replicate James McCarthy by putting to good use the disappointment of his demotion from the senior ranks.

A seamless transition to the full squad seemed inevitable for the Derby County midfielder just over a year ago when he set up Wes Hoolahan’s goal on his debut against Poland but not since he was hauled off at half-time against Spain on his fourth cap in New York four months later has Hendrick been on senior duty.

New Ireland boss Martin O’Neill couldn’t find room last week in his extended 29-man squad for the Dubliner, allowing him instead to assist King next Wednesday when they face Montenegro in a must-win penultimate qualifier at Tallaght Stadium (3pm).

As James McCarthy bounced back from a similar set-back two years ago when Giovanni Trapattoni cast him aside, King believes there is much for Hendrick to be optimistic about under the new regime.

"It worked in James' favour, that's for sure. He came back into international football with the under-21's against Hungary and has been flying with the seniors since, reasoned King. Jeff is a great lad, wants to play for the under-21s, and he'll benefit from the game.

'Sitting on the bench'
"Martin knows how important this qualifier is, so he was more than happy for Jeff to be with us for this one.

“His words were ‘it’s better Jeff playing a full under-21 game, rather than having 15 minutes with the senior or sitting on the bench’.”

Waterford native Kenny McEvoy, on the bench for Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa league last week, is one of five uncapped players drafted in by King.

The Fifa process to enable Wolves striker Liam McAlinden switch from Northern Ireland has finally been completed to allow him accept the call-up.

Deadlocked with their visitors in second place on eight points, Ireland must defeat Montenegro at Tallaght and achieve their biggest feat in history – a win away to Germany in their last game in September – to secure the runner-up spot in Group Six and clinch a play-off for next year's Euro finals.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-21 SQUAD: Goalkeepers: A McCarey (Wolves), S McDermott (Sandnes Ulf), Defenders: J Egan (Sunderland), S McGinty (Sheffield Utd), S Duffy (Yeovil), P Sweeney (Reading), M Doherty (Wolves), T Hoban (Watford), Midfielders: J Hendrick (Derby), J Grealish (Notts County), C Reilly (Birmingham), A Forde (Wolves), S Murray (Watford), C Smith (Gillingham), K McEvoy (Tottenham); Strikers: L McAlinden (Wolves), M Drennan (Portsmouth), A O'Brien (Torquay).