Givens names Under-21 squad for Swiss game

Stephen Elliott, the hat-trick hero of the Republic of Ireland’s 5 - 1 victory over Poland in Gdansk in August, retains his place in Don Givens’ squad of eighteen players he has named for the European 2004 Under-21 Championship qualifier against Switzerland in Neuchatel on Friday, October 10, 2003 (kick-off 6pm, 5pm Irish time).

Elliott was in the side that beat Russia 2 - 0 in the last qualifying game in Waterford in early September.

Givens has left out nine of the players who were involved in the squad for Waterford as he brings in seven newcomers, all of whom are young enough to be included in Gerry Smith’s squad for the World Youth Championship finals in the United Arab Emirates in November.

These finals were due to have been played in May but were postponed by FIFA because of the outbreak of the Sars virus.

Called up for the first time by Givens for the Under-21 squad are : goalkeeper Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa), John Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Kendrick (1860 Munich), Kevin Foley (Luton Town), Derek Potter (Liverpool), Paul Keegan (Leeds United) and Jonathon Walters (Bolton Wanderers). Walters has had two previous call-ups but has withdrawn on each occasion.

The nine players who were in the squad for the Russia game and who have been omitted this time are : goalkeeper Saul Deeney (Notts County), Clifford Byrne (Scunthorpe United), Colin Cryan (Sheffield United), Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Thomas Butler (Sunderland), Liam Miller (Celtic), Michael Doyle (Coventry City), Graham Barrett (Coventry City) and Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest).

The three eircom League players who were in the squad in Waterford are back in again, Waterford United goalkeeper Daniel Connor, Shelbourne midfielder Wes Hoolahan and Cork City striker John O’Flynn.