King opts for fresh look to Ireland U21

Noel King will use this Wednesday’s friendly against the Netherlands to experiment with new players, but the threat of the Dutch should not be taken lightly.

Among the new additions to the Ireland under-21 squad are Carl McHugh, fresh from his giant-killing heroics for Bradford City against Aston Villa, Kane Ferdinand, cousin to Rio, Les and Anton, and goalkeeper Sean McDermott of Norwegian side Sandnes Ulf.

They will freshen up an Ireland squad, which is coming off a flourishing end to the 2013 European Championship qualifying campaign. Although they missed out on qualification, a nine-man Irish side finished on a high by beating group winners Italy 4-2 away.

Several of the players who won in Casarano could play against the Dutch. Both Aston Villa’s Derrick Williams and Anthony Forde of Wolves, who were sent off against Italy, are in the squad.

Scorers Aaron Doran and Conor Henderson are absent, but the highly-rated Watford youngster Sean Murray – who scored the first goal – could start. There is a dearth of players, like Murray, who have impressed at club level this season.

Warrington-born Callum Reilly is another new addition to the squad, and has played nine times in the Championship for Birmingham City this season, scoring once.  Samir Carruthers has yet to truly break into the Aston Villa first team, but has always impressed while playing for his national team.

Airtricity League fans will know all about the talents of Chris Forrester, who is the sole representative of the domestic league in the squad.

In defence, Joe Shaughnessy has been a regular at centre-back for Aberdeen, while Shane Duffy has also starred on loan at Scunthorpe United. However Mark O’Brien, who has been an almost permanent fixture in defence for Derby County,  has had to withdraw due to a knee problem.

Up front, Ireland can choose from the likes of Connor Smith, who has played seven times this season for Watford, and Aiden O’Brien of Millwall.

Overall, it is an experienced squad – and one that should be well equipped to deal with a similarly experienced Dutch side on Wednesday. Ahead of the start of Ireland’s Euro 2015 qualifying campaign in August, that experience may just be vital.

Ireland may well be confident of at least a runners-up spot in a group containing Germany, Romania, Montenegro and the Faroe Islands, but friendlies like this one will serve as perfect preparation for when the Germans and Romanians in particular come calling.