QPR defender Jimmy Dunne and Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot have been called up for the friendly against Belgium and Lithuania on Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland squad.
Dunne replaces Blackburn Rovers left-back Darragh Lenihan, who returned to his club due to a groin problem, while Talbot received the call after Bournemouth stopper Mark Travers suffered a minor strain.
Dunne and Talbot will take part in Thursday’s training session in Abbottstown as preparations for Saturday’s clash with the world number 1 Belgian at Aviva Stadium are lifted.
Ireland will then face Lithuania on Lansdowne Road on Tuesday night.
Dunne enjoys a strong campaign with QPR in the championship. The 24 was called up during Martin O’Neill’s reign, but he has yet to win a senior cap.
Last August, Kenny called up Talbot ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Portugal, Azerbaijan and Serbia after Travers had to withdraw due to illness.
Bohs man was also an undefeated underdog for Euro qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar in 2019, with Mick McCarthy at the helm.
Framework of the Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians).
Defender: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers).
Midfielder: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (QPR, on loan from Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End ), Jason Knight (Derby County), Mark Sykes (Oxford United).
Forward: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan at Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Connor Ronan (St Mirren, on loan) from Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Follow the Republic of Ireland vs. Belgium this Saturday (kick-off 17:00) via our live blog on RTÉ.ie / sport in the RTÉ News app, or listen to the live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1’s Saturday Sport.
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