Callum Robinson, the in-form West Brom forward, has recovered from Covid-19 to link up with the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 5pm).
“Callum is certainly in contention [to start],” said Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. “He has started the season well and scored three goals (in four Championship appearances). He trained yesterday in England and comes into the squad so we will see how he is in training today.”
Preston midfielder Alan Browne and Liam Scales, who recently moved from Shamrock Rovers to Celtic, have also been called up to replace injured defenders Dara O’Shea (ankle) and Burnley’s Nathan Collins while Spurs fullback Matt Doherty has recovered from the stomach cramps that hampered his second-half performance in Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 win on Wednesday at Estádio Algarve.
“I’m fit if selected,” said Doherty, who excelled at left wing back. “I feel alright. Second-half I don’t know what hit me. My body shut down and pains in my stomach so I didn’t feel great and every time I went down it wasn’t through injury, I was just really struggling but I managed to crawl my way through the second-half and I feel a bit better now.”
Kenny has stated that players that do not feature regularly for their clubs will struggle to make it through three internationals in six days, as Serbia follow Azerbaijan on Tuesday September 4th, also in front of 25,000 fans at the Aviva.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Liam Scales (Celtic)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Charlton, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St Mirren), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton), Alan Browne (Preston North End)
Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion)
