Martin O’Neill announces squad with one new addition and one very welcome return

Just the 37 players named.

Martin O'Neill likes to name his Republic of Ireland squads in phases. Phase 1 is the extended squad, which includes three teams worth of players operating in the English and Scottish leagues (plus Kevin Doyle). Then, ahead of next week's training camp, he will whittle it down due to injuries, lack of fitness etc and then, after he has examined everyone up close, he will whittle it down further for the trip to the United States for the friendly against Mexico. So, there are no real surprises in this 37-man squad announced Monday morning, but that is not to say there are not some welcome additions. It is great to see Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot back in the squad after his injury nightmare. The 31-year-old enjoyed three run outs towards the end of Newcastle's Championship-winning season and will hope to continue to return with an appearance against either Mexico or Uruguay. Also called-up is Burnley defender Kevin Long. Another man to suffer a horrible run of injuries, Long made his Premier League debut earlier this month after a long period on the sidelines. A selection of players will report for a three-day training camp in Fota Island Resort on Tuesday, May 23 before the full squad links up in Dublin on Sunday, May 28. They fly to New York on Monday, May 29 ahead of the international friendly against Mexico on Thursday, June 1 in MetLife Stadium. They will then return for the friendly with Uruguay in Aviva Stadium on Sunday, June 4. The international camp will close with the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Austria in Aviva Stadium on Sunday, June 11. https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/864065752533524480 Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Randolph (West Ham United) Defenders: Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce (Derby County), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Andy Boyle (Preston North End), John Egan (Brentford), Marc Wilson (West Bromwich Albion), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Darron Gibson (Sunderland), Liam Kelly (Reading), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Daryl Murphy (Newcastle United), Shane Long (Southampton), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) Schedule International Friendly: Republic of Ireland v Mexico, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, KO 20:00 (1am Irish Time) Three International Friendly: Republic of Ireland v Uruguay, Aviva Stadium, KO 18:00 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Republic of Ireland v Austria, Aviva Stadium, KO 17:00