Republic of Ireland Under-21 team manager Noel King today announced his squad for the forthcoming UEFA U21 Championships Group Seven qualifying round match against Turkey.

The Irish will host the Turks at the Showgrounds, Sligo, on Tuesday, August 14 (7.30pm).

King has a number of players available to him that were unable to feature in the 2-2 draw with Italy in June while several of the squad moved to new clubs in the close season in the UK. "I am pleased that the likes of Rob Kiernan, Adam Barton and Conor Henderson have made good progress on their respective injuries," said King at today's squad announcement.

"The Turkey game is massive for us. We have three very big games left in the group but we have to pick up where we left off against Italy in June.

"We will be looking for the Sligo public to come out and give us the same fabulous support we've had at the Showgrounds so far in the tournament and I'd love to see supporters coming from further afield to support the lads."

"A win over Turkey would secure us at least second place and a potential play-off place. What's important is victory in this, our last home game, so we can build on that for the remaining two matches of the group."

Republic of Ireland senior manager Giovanni Trapattoni was interested in promoting Robbie Brady and Shane Duffy for the squad's friendly in Serbia to be played a day earlier but opted to allow the pair to remain with the Under-21s for this vital qualifier.

The ten group winners and four runners-up with the best record against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their sections advance to the play-offs.

Republic of Ireland U21 Squad:

Ian McLoughlin MK Dons FC

Aaron McCarey Wolverhampton Wanderers FC John Egan Sunderland FC

Greg Cunningham Bristol City FC

Gavin Gunning Dundee United FC

Rob Kiernan Wigan Athletic FC

Shane Duffy Everton FC

Niall Canavan Scunthorpe United FC Jeff Hendrick Derby County FC

Adam Barton Preston North End FC

Conor Henderson Arsenal FC

Richie Towell Unattached

Conor Clifford Chelsea FC

Samir Carruthers Aston Villa FC

Eunan O'Kane Bournemouth FC Robbie Brady Manchester United FC

Aidan White Leeds United FC

Aaron Doran Inverness CT FC

Sean Murray Watford FC

Sean Scannell Huddersfield Town FC

Rhys Murphy SC Telstar

James Collins Swindon Town FC.

Latest News