Stephen Kelly makes a somewhat surprising return to the Ireland set up, as Giovanni Trapattoni has included the Reading defender in his provisional 29 man squad for the Sweden and Austria world cup qualifiers later this month.

Darron Gibson, however, remains absent.

Trapattoni was expected to omit Kelly following his criticism of the defender last month. Following last month’s friendly with Poland Trapattoni claimed the reason for his exclusion from that squad was the player’s unwillingness to join the squad while not guaranteed playing time. Kelly responded to the claim with a public statement denying there was any truth in Trapattoni’s claims.

Robbie Keane is recalled to the squad, following being rested for the last game.

Darron Gibson remains notably absent. The Everton midfielder was asked to join the squad for the Poland friendly but refused, saying he was recovering from injury.

Ireland provisional squad in full

Gk:Forde, Randolph

Df: O’Shea, St. Ledger, Clark, Wilson, Coleman, Kelly, O’Dea, O’Brien, McShane, Pearce, Ward

Mf: Whelan, McCarthy, Green, Hendrick, McGeady, Pilkington, McClean, Brady

Fw: Keane, Long, Doyle, Sammon, Walters, Cox, Hoolahan