Robbie Brady: Republic of Ireland recall Preston player for Nations League games

Robbie Brady has not featured for the Republic since the friendly against Qatar in March 2021

Robbie Brady's impressive early-season form for new club Preston has earned him a Republic of Ireland recall for the Nations League games against Scotland and Armenia later this month.

The left-sided player, 30, has not been in a Republic squad since March last year amid struggles at club level.

However, he has has featured in six games for his new club this season.

Andrew Omobamidele and Callum O'Dowda also return but keeper Caoimhin Kelleher is ruled out by injury.

Brady memorably scored the Republic's last-gasp winner in the victory over Italy at Euro 2016 but was without a club in the early months of last season after being released by Burnley, before joining Bournemouth as a free agent in October.

He did make six appearances for the Cherries as they won promotion to the Premier League but was unable to add to his 57 international caps during his time with the club.

Brady's return 'on absolute merit'

Manager Stephen Kenny said Brady's return was "on absolute merit".

"He's not in because we do admire him as a player and the talent he possesses, but he's in because of his performances for Preston," added the Republic boss.

Norwich defender Omobamidele, 20, made a hugely impressive beginning to his Republic career but injury has kept out of international action since playing for Stephen Kenny's side against Luxembourg last November.

O'Dowda's last Republic game was in November 2020 but he earns his recall after producing good form this season for new club Cardiff City.

The attacking options also include Swansea's Michael Obafemi, who starred in the 3-0 win over Scotland in June, and Rotherham's Chiedozie Ogbene who has also impressed in the Nations League campaign to date.

Obafemi has not featured for Swansea since a transfer deadline day move to Burnley did not materialise after playing in his club's opening six games of the season.

Brighton striker Aaron Connolly, who is on a season-long loan at Italian Serie B club Venezia, has again been left out by Kenny and is instead included in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for their European Championship play-off against Israel later this month.

Connolly, who has eight senior caps, is now 22 but is still eligible for the under-21 side.

Caoimhin Kelleher is ruled out by the groin injury that he sustained on Republic duty in June, which he then aggravated in pre-season training at Liverpool

Liverpool keeper Kelleher sustained a groin injury in the Republic's last Nations League game against Ukraine in June and aggravated the injury in pre-season.

Jurgen Klopp had been critical of the Republic's medical set-up after losing Kelleher for the start of the Premier League season, but Kenny reiterated none of his staff were to blame.

"He trained with Liverpool when he went back for pre-season and got injured, but certainly it was something we weren't aware of."

Norwich froward Adam Idah (knee) and Sheffield United defender Enda Stevens (calf) are also sidelined through injury.

The Republic face Scotland at Hampden Park on 24 September before the home game against Armenia three days later.

Kenny's Irish side are third in Group B1 having accumulated four points from their opening four games, putting them three adrift of leaders Ukraine, who have played a game less, and two behind Scotland, who also have a match in hand on the Irish.

Armenia stunned the Republic in the group opener on 4 June but have lost their three subsequent games.

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Bazunu (Southampton), Travers (Bournemouth), O'Leary (Bristol City)

Defenders: Coleman (Everton), Doherty (Tottenham), Duffy (Fulham, on loan from Brighton), Egan (Sheffield United), Collins (Wolves), Omobamidele (Norwich), O'Shea (West Brom), McClean (Wigan), Brady (Preston)

Midfielders: Cullen (Burnley), Hendrick (Reading), Knight (Derby), Browne (Preston), Molumby (West Brom), Hourihane (Derby), O'Dowda (Cardiff).

Forwards: Ogbene (Rotherham), Obafemi (Swansea), Parrott (Preston, on loan from Tottenham), Robinson (Cardiff), Hogan (Birmingham).