Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has included three uncapped players in his provisional squad for next month's Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia, but once again the Jack Grealish situation remains up in the air.
After playing for Bournemouth against Liverpool last night, midfielder Eunan O'Kane has earned his first senior call-up and he is joined in an extended 37-man panel by Brentford's Alan Judge and Aberdeen's Adam Rooney.
There is also a recall for Preston left-back Greg Cunningham as O'Neill opts to keep his options open because of the lack of game time that so many of his players have had so far this season.
As expected, there is no recall for in-form Stephen Ireland of Stoke, while Jack Grealish has been left out of the panel as well, despite his club Aston Villa confirming that the teenager is now fit to return to first-team duty.
Martin O'Neill says he had a 'fruitful' discussion with Jack Grealish and his father 10 days ago. Confirms JG is taking more time to decide.
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) August 18, 2015
Grealish is requesting more time to decide whether his international allegiance lies with Ireland, who he has represented at various underage grades, or his birth nation of England.
The provisional squad
Goalkeepers: David Forde, Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, Darren Randolph, Rob Elliot
Defenders: Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O’Shea, Alex Pearce, Ciaran Clark, Paul McShane, Stephen Ward, Greg Cunningham
Midfielders: James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Harry Arter, Glenn Whelan, Eunan O’Kane, Aiden McGeady, James McClean, Alan Judge, Robbie Brady, Anthony Pilkington, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan,
Forwards: Robbie Keane, Shane Long Southampton, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Stokes, David McGoldrick, Adam Rooney, Simon Cox.
Ex-Ireland defender Paddy Mulligan discussed Stephen Ireland's international prospects on the Rewind podcast:
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