The boss of the Republic of Ireland, Heimir Hallgrimsson, recalled goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in his team before the Nations League qualifiers next week against Bulgaria.
The 23 -year -old Southampton player, who is currently loaned with the Standard Belgian side Liege, had established himself as Ireland’s No. 1 under the previous boss Stephen Kenny, but has not played for his country since March last year after having suffered a serious injury from Achilles.
He will renew his battle with the Caoimhín Kelleher de Liverpool for a place in the team while Hallgrimsson has a first chance of evaluating it.
Hallgrimsson presented the first senior calls to the duo of Watford James Abankwah and Rocco Vata at a feast of 23 men for the promotion / relegation on two legs of next week.
Defender Abankwah, 21, is currently ready for Vicanage Road in Udinese, while the 19 -year -old leader Vata has three goals from the Sky Bet championship to date this season.
They are joined by the defender of QPR, 27, Jimmy Dunne, who hope for the senior beginnings, and the striker of Bristol City Sinclair Armstrong, who returned for the first time since he won a surprise ceiling as a late replacement in a qualifier Euro 2024 against the Netherlands in September 2023.
Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone is back after his return to action after an injury to the hamstrings, while Mark Sykes of Bristol City also obtains the green light for the first time under Hallgrimsson.
Ireland, which finished third behind England and Greece in League B2, going to Plovdiv on March 20, then welcomed the finalists of the C3 League in Bulgaria at the Aviva stadium three days later as they try to guarantee their second level status.
Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Middlesbrough, loaned by Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Standard Liege, loaned by Southampton)
Defenders: Jake O’Brien (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), James Abankwah (Watford, loaned by Udinese), Robbie Brady (Preston), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff)
Midfielder: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)
Advances: Evan Ferguson (West Ham, loan from Brighton), Adam Idah (Celtic), Troy Parrott (Az Alkmaar), Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Mikey Johnston (West Brom), Rocco Vata (Watford).
