Preston North End striker and Kilkenny man Sean Maguire has once again been excluded from Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg.
The call by Kenny to leave Maguire out will come as no great surprise to the majority of Irish fans with the former Cork City front man finding himself somewhat frozen out by the Republic of Ireland manager.
Elsewhere, captain Seamus Coleman returns to the squad having missed last month’s victories away to Azerbaijan and at home to Qatar because of injury along with midfielders Jason Molumby and Alan Browne.
Brighton & Hove Albion forward Aaron Connolly is the biggest name to not make the cut.
The Galway native has struggled for game time for Graham Potter’s side in the Premier League this season and a failure to get a summer loan move over the line has now come back to haunt him as he misses out on the conclusion of a disappointing first campaign under the former Dundalk manager.
Wigan Athletic forward Will Keane retains his place in the squad ahead of Connolly while Euro 2016 star Robbie Brady has not been included due to a lack of match fitness following his move to high-flying Bournemouth.
Ireland host Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Thursday in front of a sold out Aviva Stadium before bringing a turbulent campaign to an end away to Luxembourg on Sunday November 14.
Ireland squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Idah (Norwich City), James Collins (Cardiff City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers).
