King announces Ireland U21s squad for Germany qualifier

Republic of Ireland U21 Head Coach Noel King has announced his squad for the forthcoming UEFA U21 Championship game between the Republic of Ireland and Germany.

Ireland host the Germans in the Showgrounds, Sligo, on Monday, September 9 (7.45pm), and tickets will be available from the club at this Saturday’s Airtricity League game between Sligo Rovers and Limerick FC.

The Irish began their campaign with a 4-1 victory over the Faroe Islands in Toftir earlier this month with Matt Doherty scoring twice while Samir Carruthers and Aiden O’Brien also found the net.

Wolves winger Anthony Forde and Bristol City defender Derrick Williams return to the squad after missing the Faroes game through suspension.

King said: “Germany are obviously the favourites for the group and will expect to top the table but we’ve proven in big games before that we can take on sides like this and do well.

“I’ve looked at the Germans on the DVD and you can see they are very strong. They probably have enough players to field two teams at every age group and be competitive.

“They play the sort of football a lot of people would say is how the game should be played. They’re fit, strong and fast and will represent a challenge for our players but our squad like games like that.

“Our players like the opportunity to prove ourselves at that level. We proved with our performances against Italy and Holland in the last year that this is the level our players want to be playing at and know they can do well in.

“The crowd in Sligo has always been very supportive of our side. The U21s like playing there were the atmosphere is brilliant and we’re hoping we’ll have another full house supporting us.”

Republic of Ireland U21 squad:

Aaron McCarey                 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Seán McDermott             Sandnes Ulf FC

Matt Doherty                    Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Michael Harriman            QPR FC – on-loan to Gillingham FC

Frankie Sutherland          QPR FC

Shane Duffy                       Everton FC

Seán McGinty                    Sheffield Utd FC

Anthony O'Connor          Blackburn Rovers FC

Connor Smith                    Watford FC

Joe Shaughnessy             Aberdeen FC

Callum Reilly                       Birmingham City FC

Anthony Forde                 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Seán Murray                      Watford FC

Samir Carruthers              Aston Villa FC – on-loan to MK Dons

Jack Grealish                      Aston Villa FC

Derrick Williams                Bristol City FC

Charles Dunne                  Blackpool FC – on-loan to Wycombe Wanderers FC

Aiden O'Brien                    Millwall FC

UEFA U21 Championships Qualifying round Group 6

Monday, September 9

Republic of Ireland v Germany

The Showgrounds, Sligo (7.45pm)