Cannon named in Ireland squad for upcoming fixtures

Republic of Ireland interim head coach John O’Shea has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Hungary and Portugal.

Ireland welcome Hungary to the Aviva Stadium next Tuesday and face Portugal in Aveiro a week later.

Leicester City striker Tom Cannon receives his first senior international call-up following an impressive run for the Foxes towards the end of the season having recovered from a stress fracture injury earlier in the campaign.

The 21-year-old made one appearance for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in the 2-1 win over Iceland in March of last year, where he netted the opening goal.

Celtic centre-back Liam Scales returns to the squad having missed the March international window through injury, while there is also a return for Stoke City left-back Enda Stevens.

Excelsior striker Troy Parrott, who recently netted a hat-trick in the Eredivisie relegation play-off, also returns to the squad having missed the international fixtures against Belgium and Switzerland earlier in the year.

Goalkeeper Max O’Leary comes into the squad after an impressive campaign for Bristol City and Fleetwood Town stopper David Harrington gets his first call-up to the senior squad.

Goalkeeper Josh Keeley and midfielder Bosun Lawal will also report into the senior camp to train with the squad before linking up with Jim Crawford’s U21 squad for their upcoming fixtures against Croatia and England.

Republic of Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City), David Harrington (Fleetwood Town)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Dara O’Shea (Burnley), Jake O’Brien (Lyon), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Enda Stevens (Stoke City)

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Celtic)

Forwards: Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers), Adam Idah (Celtic, on loan from Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Excelsior, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Obafemi (Millwall, on loan from Burnley), Tom Cannon (Leicester City).

4 June: Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm

11 June: Portugal v Republic of Ireland, Aveiro Municipal Stadium, 7.45pm