Martin O'Neill has today named a 38-man squad for Ireland's three June fixtures: a couple of friendlies before the all-important visit of Austria.
Ireland take on Mexico in New Jersey on June 1st before travelling home for the final two games: another friendly with Uruguay before Austria pitch up in a bid to salvage their qualification hopes. Ireland are second in Group D, level on eleven points with Serbia. Austria, meanwhile, are fourth, with the same number of points as Wales, meaning defeat in Dublin will more or less guarantee they won't be in Russia next summer.
The only real surprise is the inclusion of former Cork City and current Burnley defender Kevin Long, with Rob Elliot returning to the squad following a long-term knee injury. Thos unfortunate out are Greg Cunningham, of Preston, and Cillian Sheridan, who is in fine goalscoring form with new club Jagellonia in the Polish league. Despite his League of Ireland form, there is no room for Seanie Maguire.
Ciaran Clark, Seamus Coleman, and David Meyler miss out through injury.
Here's the squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Randolph (West Ham United)
Defenders: Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce (Derby County), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Andy Boyle (Preston North End), John Egan (Brentford), Marc Wilson (West Bromwich Albion), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Darron Gibson (Sunderland), Liam Kelly (Reading), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen)
Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Daryl Murphy (Newcastle United), Shane Long (Southampton), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Adam Rooney (Aberdeen)
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