John O'Shea has named his Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Portugal, with one name standing out above the rest.
Leicester City striker Tom Cannon has been called up for the first time since May of last year, when he didn't report for duty for a Bristol training camp under former manager Stephen Kenny.
It was reported at the time that Cannon had tonsillitis but Kenny confirmed the following month that the player had been approached by England over a switch of international allegiance.
Ireland fans who may have been dreading a repeat of the Jack Grealish/Declan Rice sagas breathed sighs of relief on Tuesday afternoon, when Cannon was named in O'Shea's 26-man squad for the upcoming double-header.
John O'Shea has revealed his 26 man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Hungary 🇭🇺 and Portugal 🇵🇹
✔️ Tom Cannon receives first MNT call-up
✔️ Troy Parrott returns to the squad
✔️ Scales & Stevens also back
✔️ GK duo O'Leary & Harrington come in#FAIreland pic.twitter.com/JFQFNvlBQA— All Things ROI (@AllThingsROI) May 28, 2024
Leigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
John O'Shea: "Tom Cannon is committed to Ireland."
"I can only take a person on the conversation we had," O'Shea told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. "I’m sure it will be the case he’ll be committed. He's looking forward and excited to come in for these two games."
O'Shea has previously moved to ease fears over Cannon's international future, saying back in March that "I've no worries like that [Cannon declaring for England] at all."
Cannon will be battling for a place in O'Shea's team with a number of forwards who will be coming into camp on the crest of a wave. Sammie Szmodics finished the season as the top scorer in the EFL Championship, while Adam Idah scored the winner in the Scottish Cup final for Celtic against Rangers at the weekend.
On top of that, Troy Parrott scored a hat-trick in Excelsior's 7-1 win over ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie relegation play-offs, while defender Jake O'Brien netted for Lyon in their French Cup final defeat to PSG. The absence of Nathan Collins through injury should present O'Brien with the opportunity to get a well-earned first senior cap.
26 March 2023; Tom Cannon of Republic of Ireland after his side's victory in the Under-21 international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Iceland at Turners Cross in Cork. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Ireland prepare for friendly double-header
Elsewhere in the squad, Will Smallbone is in after celebrating promotion with Southampton, while an injury for his club-mate Gavin Bazunu has opened the door for Fleetwood Town goalkeeper David Harrington to be included for the first time.
Ireland play Hungary at the Aviva Stadium on June 4th, before travelling to Aveiro to face Portugal on June 11th.
See Also: Damien Duff Slates FAI For Perceived Disrespect Towards John O'Shea
