Darron Gibson in 40-man Republic of Ireland squad for Poland and Germany
Thursday 17 September 2015 16:38, UK
Darron Gibson has been included in a provisional Republic of Ireland squad for next month's European Qualifiers.
The Everton midfielder is yet to play this season, but he recently returned to training after recovering from a groin injury and is named in a 40-man group ahead of games against Germany and Poland.
Uncapped trio Eunan O'Kane, Alan Judge and Adam Rooney, all of whom were cut from the final squad for this month's qualifiers, are again called up.
Ireland go into the final round of games third in Group D following wins over Gibraltar and Georgia, two points behind second-placed Poland and four clear of Scotland, their nearest rivals for a play-off place.
Boss Martin O'Neill said: "After collecting six points from our last two qualifying games, we want to keep the momentum going and continue to push towards sealing qualification from what has proved to be a very difficult group.
"We will welcome Germany to the Aviva Stadium for our next game before travelling to Warsaw to meet Poland, but our focus is very much on Germany. We know that the supporters will be right behind us and the players want to produce another big performance."
Ireland host the world champions on October 8 before the game in Wroclaw three days later, and O'Neill will cut his squad ahead of their October 4 meet.
Full squad: Forde, Given, Westwood, Randolph, Elliott, Keogh, Wilson, Coleman, Christie, O'Shea, Pearce, Duffy, Clark, McShane, Ward, Cunningham, Brady, McCarthy, Hendrick, Gibson, Arter, O'Kane, Whelan, Green, McGeady, McClean, Judge, Pilkington, Quinn, Meyler, Walters, Hoolahan, Keane, Long, Murphy, Doyle, Stokes, McGoldrick, Rooney, Cox.
Watch both Republic of Ireland's remaining European Qualifiers live on Sky Sports next month.