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McCarthy back in Republic squad
James McCarthy
Friday July 15 2011
James McCarthy is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for next month's friendly against Croatia.
The Scotland-born Wigan midfielder has won three caps for his adopted country but was at the centre of confusion when he pulled out of May's Carling Nations Cup and a Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia amid conflicting reports over an ankle injury.
But he was assured by boss Giovanni Trapattoni he still had a future with Ireland, and returns alongside Marc Wilson and Jonathan Walters, who also pulled out of the games, for the August 10 encounter in Dublin. Wolves striker Kevin Doyle is also named in the 32-man squad, his first call-up since suffering a knee ligament injury against Macedonia in March.
The friendly represents an opportunity for the players selected to stake their claim ahead of September's Euro 2012 qualifying double-header against Slovakia and Russia.
Recent Sunderland signings John O'Shea and Kieren Westwood are in the squad, while captain Robbie Keane will be looking to add to his national record of 51 goals after bringing up his half-century with a brace against Macedonia last month.
Trapattoni told FAI.ie "Following on from our last successful trip with four wins behind us, this game will be an important decider ahead of our next Euro 2012 qualifier game versus Slovakia on September 2.
"Many players will be given the opportunity to shine against a very strong opposition. Croatia are currently ranked eighth in FIFA's world rankings, and will undoubtedly be a tough match for us."
Republic of Ireland squad:
Given (Man City), Westwood (Sunderland), Forde (Millwall), O'Shea (Sunderland), McShane (Hull City), Foley (Wolves), Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Fulham), Ward (Wolves), Dunne (Aston Villa), St Ledger (Leicester), O'Dea (Celtic), Delaney (Ipswich), Clark (Aston Villa), Kilbane (Hull City), Whelan (Stoke), Gibson (Man Utd), Andrews (Blackburn), Fahey (Birmingham), Keogh (Wolves), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Duff (Fulham), Hunt (Wolves), Lawrence (Portsmouth), McCarthy (Wigan), Tracey (Preston NE), Wilson (Stoke), Keane (Tottenham), Doyle (Wolves), Walters (Stoke), Long (Reading), Cox (WBA).
James McCarthy
Friday July 15 2011
James McCarthy is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for next month's friendly against Croatia.
The Scotland-born Wigan midfielder has won three caps for his adopted country but was at the centre of confusion when he pulled out of May's Carling Nations Cup and a Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia amid conflicting reports over an ankle injury.
But he was assured by boss Giovanni Trapattoni he still had a future with Ireland, and returns alongside Marc Wilson and Jonathan Walters, who also pulled out of the games, for the August 10 encounter in Dublin. Wolves striker Kevin Doyle is also named in the 32-man squad, his first call-up since suffering a knee ligament injury against Macedonia in March.
The friendly represents an opportunity for the players selected to stake their claim ahead of September's Euro 2012 qualifying double-header against Slovakia and Russia.
Recent Sunderland signings John O'Shea and Kieren Westwood are in the squad, while captain Robbie Keane will be looking to add to his national record of 51 goals after bringing up his half-century with a brace against Macedonia last month.
Trapattoni told FAI.ie "Following on from our last successful trip with four wins behind us, this game will be an important decider ahead of our next Euro 2012 qualifier game versus Slovakia on September 2.
"Many players will be given the opportunity to shine against a very strong opposition. Croatia are currently ranked eighth in FIFA's world rankings, and will undoubtedly be a tough match for us."
Republic of Ireland squad:
Given (Man City), Westwood (Sunderland), Forde (Millwall), O'Shea (Sunderland), McShane (Hull City), Foley (Wolves), Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Fulham), Ward (Wolves), Dunne (Aston Villa), St Ledger (Leicester), O'Dea (Celtic), Delaney (Ipswich), Clark (Aston Villa), Kilbane (Hull City), Whelan (Stoke), Gibson (Man Utd), Andrews (Blackburn), Fahey (Birmingham), Keogh (Wolves), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Duff (Fulham), Hunt (Wolves), Lawrence (Portsmouth), McCarthy (Wigan), Tracey (Preston NE), Wilson (Stoke), Keane (Tottenham), Doyle (Wolves), Walters (Stoke), Long (Reading), Cox (WBA).
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