Everton captain Seamus Coleman has not been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the start of their World Cup qualification campaign against Hungary and Armenia next month.
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson described Coleman as a “leader in this squad” after the veteran full-back withdrew from June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg through injury.
Hallgrimsson said he hoped Coleman would return to the new campaign “fit and flying”, but the 36-year-old has been an unused substitute in Everton’s first two games of the new Premier League season.
The injured Robbie Brady, Ferencvaros summer signing Callum O’Dowda and Istanbul Basaksehir’s Festy Ebosele also miss out.
Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and Ipswich striker Chiedozie Ogbene are included for the World Cup opener against Hungary in Dublin on September 6 and the long trip to Armenia three days later.
Bazunu has recovered from a knee injury to start for Saints this season, and Ogbene also returns for the first time since October 2024 after rupturing an Achilles tendon.
Uncapped Stoke defender Bosun Lawal, who was called up for the summer friendly with Luxembourg, and QPR centre-back Jimmy Dunne feature in Hallgrimsson’s 23-player squad.
Burnley captain Josh Cullen returns after being rested for the summer friendlies, and is joined in midfield by Jason Knight, Killian Phillips and Jack Taylor.
Hallgrimsson will be heartened by the early-season form of strikers Troy Parrott and Evan Ferguson.
Parrott has scored 10 goals already for AZ Alkmaar and in seven consecutive matches – a club record for the Dutch side – while Ferguson was named player of the match on his Serie A debut for Roma in their 1-0 victory over Bologna on Saturday.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren).
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Celtic), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).