- Rory Kelly
- Tue, Aug 14 2012
Republic of Ireland U21’s will be without Aston Villa midfielder Samir Carruthers for their important European Championships Qualifier tonight at the Sligo Showgrounds.
Carruthers joins several other players, including Gavin Gunning, Aaron Doran, Rhys Murphy and Jeff Hendrick, on the injured list, while Watford striker Sean Murray has been excused due to a family bereavement.
Two players that are included are Manchester United winger Robbie Brady, and Everton’s Shane Duffy, whom senior manager Giovanni Trapattoni had hoped to include in his friendly squad against Serbia. However, U21 boss Noel King was adamant that he wanted to hold on to the two players for this crucial clash.
He said "[Trapattoni] wanted to take Robbie [Brady] and Shane Duffy to Serbia but understood the importance of this game and left them with us.
"We had a chat about it and, rather than probably having them on the bench in Serbia, it was better that they be here to help us win this game and move closer to qualification."
Brady had made his first team debut for Manchester United during their recent pre-season tour, having impressed on loan at Hull City last season, while Duffy has been on the fringes of the Everton first team, whilst also gaining experience from going on loan to Scunthorpe United.
One player that has been called up is UCD centre-midfielder Paul Corry. Corry is the only League of Ireland based player to have been selected.
Speaking on his call-up, Corry expressed his delight and surprise to have been given the nod.
"It was a bit of surprise to be told by Martin on the side of the training pitch. Hopefully if I get a chance to play, I’ll do well.
"It's good to get a bit of recognition for some good performances recently. One of my targets at the start of the season was to get myself back around the fringes of the international squad and hopefully I can push on from here."
Ipswich striker Ronan Murray has also been called up to the squad.
Kick-off is at 7.45 in the Sligo Showgrounds. Extratime.ie will be providing full Live Updates.
Squad: Ian McLoughlin (MK Dons), Aaron McCarey (Wolves), John Egan (Sunderland), Greg Cunningham (Bristol City), Rob Kiernan (Wigan), Shane Duffy (Everton), Niall Canavan (Scunthorpe), Adam Barton (Coventry City), Conor Henderson (Arsenal), Richie Towell (Unattached), Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Paul Corry (UCD), Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth), Robbie Brady (Manchester United), Aidan White (Leeds), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield), Ronan Murray (Ipswich Town), James Collins (Swindon).
