Wigan striker Caleb Folan and promising Celtic defender Darren O'Dea are included in Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the upcoming European qualifiers against Wales and Slovakia at Croke Park.

Staunton had been monitoring Folan's progress recently having learnt of his eligibility and the 24-year-old former Chesterfield striker received his Irish passport last night. Scorer of two goals in five appearances since moving to the Premiership, he will link-up with his new international colleagues next week ahead of the first training session at Croke Park on Tuesday.

"I know through his agent and also (Wigan manager) Paul Jewell that he's more than keen to play for us," Staunton said. "Paul's delighted with his progress and obviously must have thought something of him to buy Caleb in the first place.

"He told me that he'd thought Caleb would be a bit-part player until the end of the season. But he's done that well, formed such a good relationship with the other strikers at Wigan and been such a handful for opposition defences that he's actually starting. That's testament to the boy. He's willing and wanting to learn."

Folan's eligibility stems from his Irish grandparents. His grandfather is from the Aran Islands and his grandmother from Co. Galway. Staunton concedes the 6ft 2' Wigan man is not the most naturally gifted but predicts his bustling nature will disrupt Welsh and Slovakian defences if called upon.

"He's not the most pleasing striker on the eye, he's been likened to a few big strikers that wouldn't be the most comfortable on the ball. But he scores goals. Caleb is big, quick and he'll put himself about.

"He'll run down the channels and defenders don't like that. He's a handful in the air and he'll be awkward to play against. He's going to be a bonus for us. He also gives us an extra dimension."

"Every manager wants certain players," Staunton added. "We'd all love a Ronaldinho, a Messi, an Eto'o but we have to get on with it. So far the young lads have been excellent and they will progress and develop."

Indeed, no player has progressed as rapidly as O'Dea. When Staunton spoke with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan earlier in the year, the Scot informed him that the young Dubliner was a long way off entertaining senior international ambitions.

But, as Staunton acknowledges, that was then and this is now. O'Dea's rise to prominence has been remarkable since breaking into the first team in September and culminating of late with a starring role in the Champions League clash with AC Milan at the San Siro.

"Nothing phases him," said Staunton of the player who, for the time being at least, also remains in the under-21 squad to play  Holland later this month. "Gordon thinks he wouldn't let us down if I were to play him."

Clinton Morrison and David Connolly are overlooked again. Both have been scoring regularly in the Championship for Crystal Palace and Sunderland respectively but that, apparently, holds no sway with the manager.

"Clinton's only got back in the side in the last few games and has scored goals which is fantastic for a striker. But I've got four strikers now that are in the Premiership," said Staunton, who has also selected Connolly's Sunderland team-mate Anthony Stokes despite the Dubliner's lack of game time.

"Chamionship to Premiership is a big step-up and even more so to international level so, at this moment in time, the lads we have are in the driving seat. But, that's not to say if the others keep doing what they're doing that they wont be involved in the future."

Stephen Carr, who only recently returned from injury, suffered a minor setback in training during the week and is not deemed fit for inclusion. Andy Keogh, Stephen Quinn and Stephen Elliott are the others to drop out having travelled to San Marino in February.

Kevin Doyle is making a steady return to fitness following hamstring trouble and Staunton has no lasting fears over the Reading striker as he returns to the squad having missed the San Marino game.  Goalkeeper Shay Given also missed that game but is now fit to resume his role between the posts for club and country.

The Republic of Ireland host Wales on Saturday, March 24th before entertaining Slovakia four days later.  Both games will be played at Croke Park.

Republic of Ireland:  Given (Newcastle), Colgan (Barnsley), Henderson (Preston); McShane (West Brom), Dunne (Manchester City), Finnan (Liverpool), O'Dea (Celtic), O'Shea (Manchester Utd); Kilbane (Wigan), Ireland (Manchester City), Carsley (Everton), Douglas (Leeds), McGeady (Celtic), Hunt (Reading), A Quinn (Sheffield United), Duff (Newcastle), Gibson (Manchester United); Keane (Tottenham), Stokes (Sunderland), Doyle (Reading), Long (Reading), Folan (Wigan).