Heimir Hallgrímsson has named three uncapped players in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Nations League relegation playoff against Bulgaria.
Jimmy Dunne from Queens Park Rangers and Watford duo James Abankwah and Rocco Vata are in line to make their debuts in the first leg next Thursday in Plovdiv or at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday week.
Vata has impressed since moving from Celtic to the English Championship this season with the 19-year-old sparking interest from Albania, the country of his father Rudi, who made 45 appearances for Celtic in the mid 1990s.
Vata senior won 59 caps for Albania between 1990 and 2001 with his son qualifying for Ireland via his Howth-born grandmother. The teenager can also play for Scotland and Montenegro but he has played for Ireland through the age grades since under-15.
“He did well for the under-21s, plus we have a lot of injuries now in that department and he gives something different,” said Hallgrímsson. “He can be a game-changer. He can some in a do amazing things like he has shown for Watford, so that’s the reason.”
Sinclair Armstrong is also included and in line to win his second cap after impressing Hallgrímsson at Bristol City this season.
Tom Cannon, Liam Scales and Andrew Omobamidele were not considered due to an injury list that also includes Chiedozie Ogbene, Festy Ebosele and Sammie Szmodics.
Scales and West Brom midfielder Jayson Molumby are suspended for first leg in Plovdiv, but Molumby could come into camp for the second leg in Dublin.
Andy Moran is also on standby after being excluded despite Hallgrímsson highlighting his performance off the bench in the 5-0 defeat to England in Wembley last November.
“[Moran] is really close to being in our squad. He’s one of the players that kind of should grow with the team going forward, but at this stage we opted for the guys you see there.
“We just think other players fit better to play this game. I think he is in a good path and playing a lot of minutes at Stoke, some good and some not as good as young players normally perform, but he has been impressive. He was one of the positives from the second half against England, he took responsibility and was comfortable on the ball under pressure.
“He is one I think who should grow with the team under pressure.”
Former Ireland captain Séamus Coleman misses out as Hallgrímsson rewarded the form of other right backs, Coleman’s team-mate Jake O’Brien and Matt Doherty at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I spoke to Séamus yesterday and he was obviously not been thrilled with not being in the squad. He wants always to be in the squad like everybody should, but understood it that we would select Matt and Jake.”
Shamrock Rovers wing back Josh Honohan is another on standby, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu returns to the squad having recovered from Achilles surgery.
Nathan Collins is expected to continue as Ireland captain.
Republic of Ireland squad – Uefa Nations League
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Middlesbrough, on loan from AFC Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Standard Liége, on loan from Southampton).
Defenders: Jake O’Brien (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), James Abankwah (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough).
Attackers: Evan Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Celtic), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Rocco Vata (Watford).
