Dixon is surprise call-up for Algarve

Terry Dixon, the 16-year old Tottenham Hotspur striker, is the surprise inclusion in Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming training camp in Portugal ahead of the friendly international with Chile in Dublin on May 24th.

Dixon - who qualifies through his Irish mother - impressed during the recent elite phase of the under-17 European championships and, despite not featuring for Tottenham this season, gets his chance to impress when the Irish squad flies to the Algrave on Friday week for a four-day camp.

"He's a talent with very good ability and is also highly thought of," said Staunton of the player who has yet to graduate to either the under-19 or under-21 international sides.

"I've spoken with (underage managers) Sean (McCaffrey) and Don (Givens) and I want to reward at least one player in each squad who they felt were progressing.

"We'll take him along and show him what we're all about. If he progresses nicely we'll see the benefit in a couple of years.  There were one or two others I also considered...but I can only take so many."

Dixon was Ireland's star turn last autumn during the first phase of qualification for the under-17 finals, scoring against Italy and Latvia.

He also found the net during this year's Elite Phase, scoring an injury-time equaliser against Israel at Richmond Park.  His goals, however, were not enough for Ireland to reach the finals in Luxembourg later this month.

Shelbourne striker Jason Byrne is also included in the extended 29-man squad and should now play his part despite initial fears he could miss the camp.

He was due to fly out on the Saturday morning - one day after his squad mates - as Shelbourne play Bohemians on the Friday.  But that fixture was recently switched to the Saturday, meaning Byrne's participation was in doubt.

However, it was confirmed today that the fixture would now revert to its original Friday date owing to Bohemians striker Stephen Ward's withdrawal from the Irish under-21 squad to face Azerbaijan, therefore paving the way for Byrne to fly out on Saturday morning as originally planned.

"Jason is a big strong boy who has a bit of pace and will score goals. He offers something a little different to what we've got up front as we've smallish frontmen. It is beneficial to change that around."

Of the 29 selected, a number of players could yet withdraw, with the participation of Leeds United pair Liam Miller and Johnathan Douglas hinging on whether or not their club reaches the Championship play-off final on Sunday, May 21st.

Leeds are currently tied 1-1 with Preston after their semi-final first leg and play the return match tonight.

"We must wait and see how Leeds get on," said Staunton who wont have the pair in Portugal should Leeds reach that final.  "They've got to concentrate on getting into the Premiership as that's more important at this stage."

Clinton Morrison, too, is another with similar circumstances but his Crystal Palace team have some work to do to reach that final, trailing as they do 3-0 to Watford, whom they face again tomorrow.

Andy Reid returns having missed the win over Sweden while there is also room for Sheffield United's Alan Quinn who had not feature as much as perhaps he would have liked recently.

There is, however, no call-ups for either Gary Doherty or David Connolly who, it would appear, now find themselves out of the loop.

• The FAI Carlsberg Cup second round tie between Longford Town and Cork City at Flancare Park on Friday, May 26th will be screened live on TG4.

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United), Wayne Henderson (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Gary Breen (Sunderland), Ian Harte (Levante), Steve Finnan (Liverpool), Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Stephen Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Liam Miller (Leeds United), Kevin Kilbane (Everton), Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Damien Duff (Chelsea), Graham Kavanagh (Wigan Athletic), Joey O'Brien (Bolton Wanderers), Jonathan Douglas (Leeds United), Michael Doyle (Coventry City), Andy Reid (Tottenham Hotspur), Alan Quinn (Sheffield United), Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Liam Lawrence (Sunderland)

Forwards: Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Stephen Elliott (Sunderland), Jason Byrne (Shelbourne FC), Alan Lee (Cardiff City), Terry Dixon (Tottenham Hotspur).