Elliott in as Kerr rests Keane

SUNDERLAND’S Stephen Elliott has received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for next week’s friendly against Croatia at Lansdowne Road.

Celtic's Aiden McGeady and Manchester City's Jonathan Macken are recalled but Roy Keane and Clinton Morrison are not included in an expanded squad of 25. And City's rising star Willo Flood will also have to bide his time though there's still a chance he could get the nod before next Tuesday.

Manager Brian Kerr said it was his decision to rest Keane, while Birmingham City's Morrison is still battling back to full fitness after picking up an injury in the World Cup qualifier against France in Paris. Kerr said that even if Morrison returns for his club this weekend, it would be "too much too quickly" to ask him to play two games in three days. Morrison rang Kerr asking to be included in the squad but accepts the manager's decision. "I think it's better for him and fair to the club," added Kerr.