No sign of Harry Arter in the latest Ireland squad, who is fit and has played the last three league games for Cardiff
Martin O’Neill has trimmed his Ireland squad for the upcoming games against Wales and Poland.
If the big news last week was O’Neill leaving West Ham’s Declan Rice out of his 31-man squad while the midfielder, who has three Irish caps, ponders switching allegiance to play for England, it is Arter’s absence will generate headlines this time out.
On loan from Bournemouth to Cardiff this season, Arter is said to be one of two players who got into a training ground row with Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane ahead of the USA friendly this summer.
Jonathan Walters, whom O’Neill all but confirmed was the second player who rowed with Keane, is included.
The absence of the injured Shane Long, Arter and Cardiff’s Greg Cunningham means the current Ireland squad of 26 has just eight Premier League players. Just one of the 14 midfielders and forwards in the squad plays in the Premier League.
Ireland will play Wales in Cardiff on September 6 in their first Nations League tie, before travelling to Wroclaw to play Poland in a friendly on September 11.
IRELAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK), Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Daryl Horgan (Hibernian), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)
Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Ipswich Town*), Graham Burke, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall)
