Newcastle's £2million centre-half Andy O'Brien has been promoted from the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side to the senior squad for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against Estonia.
Manager Mick McCarthy has made the move after losing both Kenny Cunningham and Gary Breen to injuries before last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Portugal in Dublin when he threw together an emergency central pairing of Richard Dunne and Aston Villa veteran Steve Staunton.
Coventry's Breen, who is facing a hernia operation, and Wimbledon's Cunningham, who may also need surgery to repair a stomach muscle tear, have not travelled to Tallinn.
But O'Brien's elevation, which costs him the chance of captaining the Under-21 side in a European Championship qualifier tomorrow night is only likely to be on the bench for the World Cup tie.
McCarthy still has Staunton and Dunne available as well as Tottenham's Gary Doherty, who has been employed at the back and in attack by both club and country.
Under-21 boss Don Givens will give his side's captaincy instead to Celtic midfielder Colin Healy, who takes the job for the first time in the absence of Barry Quinn through suspension.
His place at right-back goes to Middlesbrough's Jason Gavin, who returns after completing a one-match suspension. -PA