Sunderland Three Named In Ireland Squad

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his Ireland squad for next week's home encounter with Poland, and despite mixing things up a little he has still found time to include three familiar Sunderland faces.

Those of course are Keiren Westwood, James McClean and John O'Shea. This comes as no surprise to anyone really, although it may come as a little surprise given that Trap has pledged to use younger players and give his older players some time off, but still included the over thirty and slightly crocked O'Shea.

Speaking at the squad announcement Trapattoni said;

I have decided to use this friendly game as an opportunity to work with younger players to see their potential. As a result, I have given senior players like Robbie Keane and Stephen Kelly a break for this fixture. We saw a number of strong performances from our younger players in the second half of last year and we intend to build from those strong foundations, using this friendly match to introduce more new talent like Pilkington, Hendrick, Sammon and (Richard) Keogh. I look forward to working with these players, and seeing what they have to offer.

It's interesting that he is making allowances for the likes of Stephen Kelly, but not O'Shea. O'Shea of course would bring leadership to a young group of players, but I wouldn't at all be surprised to see him withdraw from the squad with a faux injury or illness.

Keiren Westwood has a fantastic chance to cement his place as the team's number one 'keeper after Shay Given was dropped from the squad, and Trapattoni claiming it's unlikely that barring anything other than a major emergency he won't be back.

There's also call up's for former Sunderland men David Meyler and Paul McShane.

Ireland Squad To Face Poland

Keiren Westwood, David Forde, Stephen Henderson, John O'Shea, Ciaran Clark, Darren O'Dea, Richard Dunne, Paul McShane, Seamus Coleman, Richard Keogh, Greg Cunningham, Stephen Ward, Anthony Pilkington, James McClean, Robbie Brady, Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan, Simon Cox, Shane Long, Jon Walters, Conor Sammon, Andy Keogh, Kevin Doyle.