Shay Given has made a surprising return to international football after the Aston Villa goalkeeper was called up to Martin O'Neill's final squad for the upcoming games against Oman and Georgia.
Despite speculation over a possible return, O'Neill had failed to name Given in the provisional squad with Darren Randolph instead being named alongside David Forde and Kieran Westwood. However, O'Neill and/or Given has since had a change of heart and Randolph has been demoted to the standby list.
The 38 year old retired from international football following Euro 2012 and, except for a spell on loan at Middlesbrough, he has since found first team football hard to come by. As a result, Ireland fans will no doubt
O'Neill had named an initial squad of 36 players but that has now been cut down to 27. Stephen Kelly, Jeff Hendrick and Andy Reid have pulled out due to injury while Randolph, Ciaran Clark, Paul McShane, Shane Duffy, Damien Delaney, Simon Cox and Conor Sammon have been placed on standby.
Robbie Keane is carrying a knock and will be assessed but it is assumed that he will be fit to face Georgia in Ireland's first Euro 2016 qualifying on 7 September. Keane may sit out the friendly against Oman at the Aviva on 3 September.
Squad in full - D Forde, K Westwood, S Given, R Elliot, R Keogh, M Wilson, S Coleman, J O’Shea, A Pearce, J O’Brien, J McCarthy, S Ward, G Whelan, D Gibson, A McGeady, A Pilkington, J McClean, R Brady, S Quinn, D Meyler, W Hoolahan, R Keane, S Long, D Murphy, J Walters, K Doyle, A Stokes.
