Long included, Keane and Kelly return as Trap names squad for crucial qualifiers

Shane Long has been named in the provisional Republic of Ireland squad for the double header against Sweden and Austria later this month, despite having picked up an ankle injury while training with West Brom. Yet the big story is the surprise inclusion of Reading defender Stephen Kelly, following last month’s falling out with manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Trapattoni named a provisional 29 man squad in Dublin this morning, but he will cut that to 23 next week.

Long is expected to miss out on the Baggies’ game with Swansea City this weekend but both Trapattoni and his club manager Steve Clarke have indicated that he will be ready for Stockholm in a fortnight’s time.

Kelly, meanwhile, is included despite a very public dispute over his ‘resting’ for the friendly win over Poland.

Keith Andrews, however, misses out as his recovery from a groin injury was hampered by a recurring Achilles problem, though Robbie Keane is back in the fold and Norwich City duo Antonhy Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan are also in the squad.

Conor Sammon is included along with Jeff Hendrick after both made their debut in that win over Poland.

In total, there are eight former League of Ireland players in the group who will head to Scandinavia for the decisive World Cup qualifier.

As expected, Richard Dunne will not feature. He hasn’t played for club or country since the summer as his battle with hip and groin injuries continue.

On a more promising note, Stoke City defender Marc Wilson is included after recovering from a broken leg since the autumn, while Seamus Coleman is also fit.

Trapattoni will be attending tonight’s game between St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United in Inchicore.

Squad to face Sweden and Austria: Westwood, Forde, Randolph; O'Shea, St. Ledger, Clark, Wilson, Coleman, Kelly, O'Dea, O'Brien, McShane, Pearce, Ward; Whelan, McCarthy, Green, Hendrick, McGeady, Pilkington, McClean, Brady; Keane, Long, Doyle, Sammon, Walters, Cox, Hoolahan.