MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 09:17:37| >> :600:2499809:2499809:

Peterborough's Sam Szmodics handed first Ireland call-up

The 25-year-old qualifies through his grandmother.

Peterborough midfielder Sam Szmodics has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time after manager Stephen Kenny's plans were hit by injuries once again.

The 25-year-old, who qualifies through his grandmother, is one of two men drafted into the party for next month's friendlies against Andorra and Hungary after keeper Darren Randolph, who has a hip problem, and strikers Callum Robinson (Achilles) and Aaron Connolly (foot) were ruled out.

Szmodics scored 15 goals in 42 appearances last season as Posh won promotion to the Sky Bet Championship as League One runners-up.

Bournemouth's Mark Travers will replace West Ham counterpart Randolph, while skipper Seamus Coleman has been passed fit to join up after missing the final game of Everton's Premier League season against Manchester City through injury.

A Football Association of Ireland statement said: "Peterborough United attacking midfielder Sam Szmodics have received his first international call-up to the Ireland squad after an impressive campaign with the Posh.

"The 25-year old made 42 appearances last season, scoring 15 goals as Peterborough secured promotion to the Championship.

"AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers has also been called into the squad whilst captain Seamus Coleman, who had his injury assessed this week, has been passed fit for the training camp.

"Swansea City duo Conor Hourihane and Ryan Manning will link up with the squad on Monday after their EFL Championship play-off final whilst Shamrock Rovers' Daniel Mandroiu will report for duty on Sunday following the SSE Airtricity Premier Division fixture against Longford Town."

Kenny and his players will have a chance to work together at a training camp in Spain – they met up in Girona on Friday – ahead of the trip to Andorra on June 3 and the clash with the Hungarians in Budapest five days later.

The new manager has taken charge of 11 games since replacing Mick McCarthy at the helm last summer and is yet to preside over a victory, although he has been beset by selection problems throughout his reign to date.

ID:449409: cacheID:449409:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3894:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England manager Gareth Southgate pictured on March 25, 2021
Read Next:
Wednesday's World Cup qualifying predictions including England vs. Poland
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!