Former Derry City players James McClean and David Forde are included in a provisional Republic of Ireland 29-man squad to face Serbia in a friendly next month.
James McClean.
McClean, shortlisted for the FAI’s International Young Player of the Year, will earn his 19th cap if selected for the game.
Goalkeeper Forde, nominated for the FAI’s International Player of the Year, has established himself as the Republic’s No 1 and looks almost certain to start. If he does, he will gain his 16th cap.
Also included is Donegal’s Everton defender Seamus Coleman.
However, there is no room for Coleman’s county colleague, Shay Given, who said he was “gutted” a loan spell at Middlesbro will end this weekend, despite keeping nine clean sheets in 15 games.
Also ommitted is record goalscorer Robbie Keane who is to remain with LA Galaxy as they prepare for the start of their season 8 March.
The squad will be reduced to 22 players a week ahead of the 5 March clash in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Speaking at today’s press conference in Limerick County Hall, Derry man O’Neill said: “Our game against Serbia will provide us with great preparation ahead of the first of our European qualifiers in September.”
He added: “I enjoyed working with the players in November for my first taste of international football, and am looking forward to assembling the squad once again in March.”
Tickets for the Serbia game are now on sale from www.fai.ie at €10 for children and starting at €20 for adults.
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