O’Neill set to unveil extended squad for Turkey friendly

Manager Martin O’Neill is set to unveil his extended Ireland squad, for the upcoming friendly international in Turkey, on Thursday afternoon. It is anticipated that there will be some new names following the retirement of Wes Hoolihan and Daryl Murphy coupled with the injury absence of Robbie Brady, James McCarthy and David McGoldrick. Injury doubts also surround Keiren Westwood and Callum O’Dowda. Certain Irish media sources suggest that U21 stars Declan Rice and Josh Cullen will be included in the squad which, while welcome in normal circumstance, could prove a blow to U21 Head Coach Noel King whose side have a competitive UEFA Qualifier against Azerbaijan on Tuesday the 27th March in Tallaght Stadium. The three day interval between the fixtures does provide hope that the pair, should they travel to Ankara, could link up with the U21 squad thereafter.