Sheridan gets call-up

CONCERNED about the limited options up front in his original squad, Giovanni Trapattoni has extracted Cillian Sheridan from the U21s to join the senior panel for the European Championship qualifiers against Armenia and Andorra.

Originally, Trapattoni had named just three out-and-out strikers in his squad, with Andy Keogh also available as cover, but the manager has now decided to boost his options in case any of Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle – who is only recently returned to action after a calf injury – or Shane Long are forced to pull out.

Former Celtic man Sheridan has already had a dramatic start to the season by joining Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia and returns to the senior Irish panel on the back of impressing Trapattoni playing in friendly games against Paraguay, Algeria and Argentina. He has also scored four goals in 11 appearances for the Irish U21s.