Euro 2025 qualifiers: Patten handed first Republic of Ireland call-up

Anna Patten gets a chance to impress in the Euro 2025 qualifiers

Aston Villa defender Anna Patten has been handed a first Republic of Ireland call-up for the Euro 2025 qualifiers against France and England.

The 24-year-old is awaiting international clearance from Fifa before being declared eligible for the two matches.

Niamh Fahey and Tyler Toland return while Tara O'Hanlon is still working through the return to play protocol.

Sinead Farrelly (quad) and Jamie Finn (knee) are unavailable.

Patten qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through her Donegal-born grandfather and Galway-born grandmother.

Eileen Gleeson has selected a 26-player squad with their opening Group A3 qualifier against Nations League runners-up France in Metz on 5 April.

The Irish will then face reigning European champions England four days later in Dublin in what will be the first official meeting of the teams in 37 years.

Republic of Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes).

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Reading - on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses).

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University).