Walters misses out but first call-ups for Aston Villa's Scott Hogan and Millwall's Aiden O'Brien

Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan and Millwall's Aiden O'Brien have been named in the Ireland squad for the first time ahead of the crunch World Cup games against Moldova and Wales next month.

 

The English-born pair have received their first call-ups to a 32-man provisional squad following the withdrawal through injury of top scorer Jonathan Walters.

 

Burnley striker Walters has been struggling with a knee injury since joining the club from Stoke City in the summer and has been definitively ruled out.

 

 

 

Former Cork City striker Sean Maguire is also selected in a seven-man forwards division that also includes the Colorado Rapids' Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and David McGoldrick.



 

In midfield, Wes Hoolahan, James McCarthy and Harry Arter have all been named despite carrying injuries, while goalkeeper Keiren Westwood is also battling a rib injury.

 

A full report from the squad announcement from Andrew Horgan will follow shortly.

 

Republic of Ireland squad to face Moldova and Wales:



 

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Colin Doyle (Bradford City)

 

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley)

 

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan, Coor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McCarthy (Everton), David Meyler (Hull City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Jonathan Hayes (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End)

 

Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall) 

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