World Cup qualifiers: O'Dowda replaces injured Collins for Portugal and Luxembourg double-header
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Callum O'Dowda was last part of a Republic of Ireland squad in March
Callum O'Dowda has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg.
The 26-year-old Bristol City winger has joined up with Stephen Kenny's party for the first time since March.
O'Dowda was called up after Cardiff City striker James Collins was forced to withdraw through injury.
The Republic squad assembled in Dublin on Monday to begin preparations for Thursday's game against Portugal.
That Group A match at the Aviva Stadium will be followed by an away fixture with Luxembourg three days later.
The Irish lie in fourth place in the group with their hopes of making it to Qatar gone after winning only one of their six qualifiers to date.
That sequence includes a 2-1 defeat in Portugal and an embarrassing 1-0 home reverse at the hands of Luxembourg.
Cristiano Ronaldo's two late headed goals saw Portugal snatch a dramatic 2-1 win in Faro after the Republic had led until the 89th minute
The Republic led until the 89th minute in the Faro contest before two late Cristiano Ronaldo goals saw the Euro 2016 winners break Irish hearts by snatching a dramatic 2-1 victory.
Anderlecht midfielder Josh Cullen insists that Stephen Kenny's side have to take encouragement from their display in the Algarve heading into Thursday's qualifier.
"We'll be looking to do a similar job on Thursday night but turn a good performance into a good result as well," said the 25-year-old.
The Republic will go into the game buoyed by last month's 3-0 qualifier win in Azerbaijan which was then followed by a 4-0 home friendly win over Qatar, when West Brom forward Callum Robinson bagged a hat-trick to bring up his tally to five goals in the two games.
'Players all fully behind Kenny' - Cullen
The Baku win represented manager Kenny's first competitive win in charge at the 13th time of asking and Cullen insists the Dubliner should be given a contract extension at the end of this campaign.
"For me, it's a pretty straightforward answer. Yes, 100%, I want the manager to stay," said Cullen.
"I probably speak on behalf all of the lads that we're fully behind the manager and believe in what he's trying to do.
"We're enjoying the style of football we're playing and we're starting to see the rewards results-wise from the performances we've been putting in."
Cullen's view was backed by 20-year-old Derby midfielder Jason Knight, who added: "I'd just echo what Josh said, absolutely the same.
"On a personal level as well, he's given me my chance, obviously with the under-21s and he's brought me up and given me eight senior caps so far.
"I'm grateful for that and I want to see him continue and hopefully me continue underneath him."