Evan Ferguson has been included in the Ireland squad for the games Latvia and France this month
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Evan Ferguson has been included in the Ireland squad for the games Latvia and France this month

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming international fixtures against Latvia and France. Ireland are set to welcome Latvia to the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, March 22 in an international friendly before Ireland's first match of the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign against World Cup finalists France on Monday, March 27. Mikey Johnston, who received his international clearance for Ireland this month, receives his first international call-up for Ireland whilst there are returns to the squad for Norwich City duo Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah.

Omobamidele and Idah have both been ruled out for Ireland since November 2021 where they both featured in the 3-0 win over Luxembourg but now return to the squad for the first matches of 2023. Derby County midfielder Jason Knight also returns to the squad having been ruled out of the November window as well as Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane who also pulled out of the final matches of 2022 through injury. Republic of Ireland Squad - Latvia & FranceGoalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Atletico Madrid), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic). Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton), Jamie McGrath (Dundee United), Mark Sykes (Bristol City).Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Mikey Johnston (Vitoria, on loan from Celtic).Fixtures22/03 - Republic of Ireland v Latvia, International Friendly, 7.45pm27/03 - Republic of Ireland v France, UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying, 7.45pm