Aaron McCarey added to Republic of Ireland squad for Turkey friendly

By Joe Shread

Image: Ross County's Aaron McCarey has been called up by the Republic of Ireland for the first time

Ross County goalkeeper Aaron McCarey has been added to the Republic of Ireland squad for their friendly against Turkey in Antalya on Friday.

Six players have dropped out of the provisional 30-man squad named by Martin O'Neill earlier this month, with McCarey the only new name to be brought in.

Injured 'keepers Rob Elliot and Keiren Westwood, defenders John Egan and Greg Cunningham and midfielders Harry Arter and Liam Kelly have all been cut from the squad.

Image: Martin O'Neill has named his first squad since Ireland's play-off defeat to Denmark that saw them fail to qualify for the 2018 World Cup

McCarey has kept three clean sheets in 14 appearances for Scottish Premiership side Ross County this season - clearly enough for O'Neill to hand him his first call-up.

Other players included in the squad for the first time are Manchester United 'keeper Kieran O'Hara, West Ham centre-half Declan Rice, Blackburn defenders Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams. and Sheffield United left-back Enda Stevens.

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Wolves full-back Matt Doherty is also included and could be in line to make his international debut, although he has been included in Ireland squads before.

Image: Seamus Coleman returns to international football for the first time since suffering serious injury against Wales in March last year

Captain Seamus Coleman makes a welcome return to the squad for the first time in a year following the double fracture he suffered to his leg against Wales in March 2017.

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The squad are due to meet in Dublin on Sunday and fly to Antalya a day later - although Bradford goalkeeper Colin Doyle will fly out following the Bantams' game against Doncaster on Monday.

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