The boss of the Republic of Ireland Heimir Hallgrimsson has called back goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu to his team prior to the play-off of next week's Nations League against Bulgaria.
The 23-year-old Southampton player, who is currently on loan at the Belgian Side Stand Liège, had settled as the No 1 of Ireland under previous boss Stephen Kenny, but has not played for his country since March last year after a serious Achilles injury.
He will renew his struggle with Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool for a place in the team, because Hallgrimsson gets a first chance to judge him.
Hallgrimsson has handed first senior call-ups to Watford duo James Abankwah and Rocco Vata in a 23-man party for the two-legged promotion/relegation setup next week.
Defender Abankwah, 21, is currently on loan on Vicarage Road van Udinese, while the 19-year-old frontman Vata has three Sky Bet Championship goal this season to his name.
They are accompanied by the 27-year-old QPR defender Jimmy Dunne, who will hope for a senior debut, and Bristol City Striker Sinclair Armstrong, who returns for the first time since winning a surprise hood as a late replacement in a euro 2024 qualification against the Netherlands in September 2023.
Southampton -midfielder Will Smallbone is back after his return to action after a hamstring injury, while Mark Sykes from Bristol City also gets the nod under Hallgrimsson for the first time.
Ireland, who finished third behind England and Greece in League B2, travels to Plovdiv on March 20 and then welcome the League C3 Runner-up Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium three days later while trying to secure their second-tier status.
Republic of Ireland Ploeg
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Middlesbrough, on loan from Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Standard Luik, on loan from Southampton)
Defenders: Jake O'Brien (Everton), Matt Dooerty (Wolves), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ippswich), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), James Abankwah (Watford, on loan of Udinese), Callum Brady), Callon), Preston),,
Midfielder: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (West Ham, on loan from Brighton), Adam Idah (Celtic), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Mikey Johnston (West Brom), Rocco Vata (Watford).
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