Sammie Szmodics: Uncapped Blackburn Rovers midfielder called into Republic of Ireland squad
- Published
Sammie Szmodics has scored seven goals for Blackburn Rovers this season
Uncapped Blackburn Rovers midfielder Sammie Szmodics has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad to replace the injured Aaron Connolly.
Republic manager Stephen Kenny omitted the in-form player from his original 24-man squad for the Euro 2024 double-header against Greece and Gibraltar.
The 28-year-old has scored seven goals in 11 games for the Ewood Park club so far this season.
Szmodics qualifies to play for the Republic through an Irish grandparent.
He was first called up by Kenny in June 2021 for friendlies against Hungary and Andorra when he was with Peterborough United.
The latest of Szmodics' goals came in Blackburn's 4-0 win away to QPR on Saturday.
Hull City striker Connolly is the only withdrawal from the Republic squad after the weekend club action.
Greece visit the Aviva Stadium on Friday, with the Irish then travelling to Faro, Portugal, to face Gibraltar for their second qualifier in this series on Monday.
The Republic sit fourth in Group B with just three points from their opening five games and their hopes of qualification for next year's finals remote.