Republic of Ireland trio return for Wales play-off

Megan Connolly, Megan Campbell and Ruesha Littlejohn have returned to the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's Euro 2025 play-off against Wales.

Littlejohn and Connolly have not featured since the qualifier victory over France in July, while Littlejohn's London City Lionesses team-mate Campbell has missed the past three games.

However, Republic of Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson is without several players because of injury, with Louise Quinn (hip), Ellen Molloy (hamstring), Lucy Quinn (ankle), Jamie Finn (knee) and Jess Ziu (knee) all unavailable.

The Irish swept Georgia aside in the first round of the play-offs with a 9-0 aggregate win but will face a much stiffer test against Wales as they bid to reach the Euros for the first time.

The first leg takes place on Friday, 29 November in Cardiff before the return leg at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday, 3 December.

Wales, who overcame Slovakia in the first round, named midfielder Jess Fishlock in their squad on Wednesday.

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)

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

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal, capt), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Heather Payne (Everton), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United)