Republic of Ireland: Connolly joins Idah back in squad after Covid case false positive
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Idah and Connolly were both tipped to feature for the Republic in the crucial game in Bratislava
Aaron Connolly has joined Adam Idah in returning to the Republic of Ireland squad after missing the last two games because of a coronavirus issue.
Idah and Connolly missed the Euro 2020 play-off loss in Slovakia and Sunday's draw with Wales after an FAI staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
On Sunday, the staff member's test was confirmed as a "false positive".
Idah was called up for Wednesday's game in Finland on Sunday night and Connolly was added to the squad on Monday.
An FAI statement said Brighton striker Connolly had been given permission to rejoin the squad in the same fashion as Norwich forward Idah by the Republic of Ireland's Health Service Executive.
Connolly is a replacement for James McClean who is suspended for the game in Helsinki after his late red card against Wales.
A further five players missed the Wales game in Dublin after one of them tested positive for the virus so four other players - West Brom's Dara O'Shea, Derby's Jason Knight, QPR's Ryan Manning and Portsmouth's Ronan Curtis - have also been called up by Republic boss Stephen Kenny.
John Egan, Callum Robinson, Callum O'Dowda and Alan Browne were set to start the draw with Wales but had to go into self-isolation after having been in close contact with another unnamed Republic squad member who tested positive for Covid-19.
The Republic squad and backroom staff were tested again for Covid-19 on Sunday night with the results due on Monday afternoon before they fly out to Helsinki on Tuesday.
It is a first senior call-up for Manning and Knight, who both featured for Kenny's Republic under-21 side.
West Brom's Dara O'Shea was set to line out for the Republic's Under-21s in Italy on Tuesday evening
West Brom's O'Shea moves from under-21 squad
West Brom defender O'Shea was preparing for the Under-21s' European Championship qualifier against Italy in Pisa on Tuesday when he was called up to the squad.
Instead he will fly to Helsinki with a first cap against Finland the following night a distinct possibility.
The 21-year-old central defender, who was part of the senior squad last month, has been handed his chance after Egan and Blackburn's Derrick Williams were ruled out by Covid-19 restrictions from the Wales game, in which replacement Kevin Long took a bang to his eye which forced him off in the first half.
O'Shea's elevation follows something of a baptism of fire in the Premier League with the promoted Baggies, who opened their campaign with fixtures against Leicester and Everton before a remarkable 3-3 draw with Chelsea secured a first point.
"I'm really grateful to be playing and I am cherishing the opportunities," said O'Shea.
"We had a tough start with Leicester, Everton and Chelsea with our first three games so I've had to learn quickly."
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton), Kevin Long (Burnley), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Fulham), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jason Knight (Derby County), Ryan Manning (Queens Park Rangers).
Forwards: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Shane Long (Southampton), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth).