Elliott in Republic U21 squad

Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott retains his place in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for next week’s European Championship qualifier against Russia.

Elliott seized his chance by scoring a hat-trick as boss Don Givens chose to field an experimental line-up in the 5-1 win over Poland last week.

He keeps his place in the squad for the game at Waterford on Friday, September 5 as experienced quintet Graham Barrett (Coventry City), Liam Miller (Celtic), Thomas Butler (Sunderland), John Thompson and Andy Reid (both Nottingham Forest) all return to face Russia in Waterford on September 5.

Borussia Dortmund’s Patrick Kohlmann, who made his Irish Under-21 debut in Poland, keeps his place as do the three eircom League players, Waterford United goalkeeper Daniel Connor, Cork City’s John O’Flynn and Wesley Hoolahan (Shelbourne). O’Flynn and Hoolahan were the two other Irish goalscorers in the 5 - 1 win over the Poles.