John O’Shea and Phil Babb were today named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the European Championship qualifying game against Russia in Moscow on Saturday week.
Mick McCarthy had been under increased pressure to include Waterford-born O’Shea in the senior squad following a series of notable performances in the heart of the Manchester United defence this season.
While the manager’s loyalty towards certain players is deemed admirable by some and bewildering to others, his decision to include 21-year-old O’Shea is not surprising as World Cup squad members Richard Dunne and Andy O’Brien are struggling to find first team football at Manchester City and Newcastle respectively.
"I know that Sir Alex Ferguson speaks highly of young John,” said McCarthy. "At 21, he is a very good player and will get even better with experience."
"O'Shea has all the attributes to be a top class defender. He has the necessary height and is comfortable on the ball - but that does not mean he will start against the Russians.
“Birmingham's Kenny Cunningham and West Ham's Gary Breen will be my starting central defensive partnership," McCarthy confirmed.
Babb was tipped to make the squad for last week’s friendly against Finland but a back injury denied the Sunderland defender a dramatic return to the international scene two years after being sent home in disgrace by McCarthy.
He was expelled from the Ireland squad ahead of their first 2002 World Cup qualifier against Holland in Amsterdam after he and fellow international Mark Kennedy damaged a car belonging to a Garda when on a night out in Dublin.
The former Sporting Lisbon star was watched by McCarthy’s scouts at Elland Road last night as Sunderland surprisingly beat Leeds 1-0. Babb’s international colleague, Jason McAteer, scored the winner early in the second half.
Clinton Morrison was one of seven injured players forced to withdraw from the squad for the Helsinki friendly. The striker was suffering with a groin injury but returned to competitive action last night when coming on as a late substitute for Birmingham City in their 1-1 draw with Everton.
Fulham’s Steve Finnan missed the 3-0 win in Finland with an ankle injury but is fit again while full back Steve Carr, only recently recovered after a year out following two knee operations, is still sidelined with a hamstring injury. Winger Mark Kennedy and striker David Connolly are also injured.
There is no place for Sunderland midfieler Thomas Butler despite turning in an impressive display against the Finns. The youngster returns to the under-21 squad after his brief promotion to the seniors. Jason McGuinness of Bohemians and Shelbourne's Wes Houlihan are again named in Don Givens' selection.
Russia coach Valery Gazzayev announced his senior squad yesterday. Defender Viktor Onopko is likely to earn his 102nd cap against Ireland but there is no place for the experienced Alexander Mostovoi and Valery Karpin. Both are now seen as surplus to requirements.
Goalkeepers:Shay Given (Newcastle United), Dean Kiely (Charlton Athletic), Nick Colgan (Hibernian)
Defenders:Ian Harte (Leeds United), Gary Breen (West Ham United), Gary Kelly (Leeds United), Ken Cunningham (Birmingham City), Steve Finnan (Fulham), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Phil Babb (Sunderland).
Midfielders:Jason McAteer (Sunderland), Matt Holland (Ipswich Town), Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland), Colin Healy (Glasgow Celtic), Mark Kinsella (Charlton Athletic), Lee Carsley (Everton), Rory Delap (Southampton), Stephen McPhail (Leeds United).
Forwards:Robbie Keane (Leeds United), Clinton Morrison (Birmingham City), Damien Duff (Blackburn Rovers), Gary Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur).