Goalkeeper Keiren Westwood drafted into Irish squad

Giovanni Trapattoni has called Carlisle goalkeeper Keiren Westwood into the Republic of Ireland squad following his play-off heroics.

The 23-year-old Manchester-born player is expected to jet out to the Republic's Portugal training camp within the next 24 hours following the withdrawal of Birmingham's Colin Doyle through injury.

Westwood was one of the stars of the Cumbrian side's dramatic Coca-Cola League One play-off semi-final with Leeds, which they lost 3-2 on aggregate to an injury-time Jonathan Howson goal on Thursday evening.

However, his disappointment may be eased by the chance to link up with the national squad ahead of the friendly clashes with Serbia and Colombia next week.

Trapattoni revealed he had decided to call up Westwood after speaking to goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly.

He said: "Yesterday I said we would stay as we are, but Alan, the goalkeeping coach, said he would maybe ask another because when we had the injury, it was impossible to stay with only two goalkeepers.

"Our scout told us Westwood played very well against Leeds. He was born in England, but his father is from Ireland, so I said, 'OK, call him up'.

"He will come maybe tonight or tomorrow."

Trapattoni confirmed the decision after conducting training at the Estadio Municipal in Lagos this morning ahead of tomorrow's practice match against Portimonese.

Ireland will play Lagos the following day as the Italian gets a first chance to see his players in a match situation since replacing Steve Staunton as national boss.

He intends to use all 20 members of the travelling party in the two games, with those who do not participate significantly tomorrow likely to do so 24 hours later.

Trapattoni said: "We will begin with one team, but I will look to make changes because they all have many, many games behind them.

"The day after, we will change it a little bit. Those who have played only a few minutes will play from the start of the game, and the others will come on later."

One of those hoping to make an impression in Portugal is Reading striker Kevin Doyle, who joined up with the squad still coming to terms with his club's heartbreaking relegation from the Premier League.

The Royals defeated Derby 4-0 at Pride Park on the final day of the campaign, but Fulham's win at Portsmouth meant it was Reading who joined the Rams and Birmingham in slipping through the trapdoor.

Doyle said: "It is not a nice feeling after having such a good two seasons with Reading.

"For us to finish eighth last year and nearly qualify for Europe, and then this season to be relegated, it doesn't seem right.

"It's not nice to lose that buzz of us playing well and doing well in games and us winning, to go to not winning games, not scoring and losing eight games in a row or whatever.

"The atmosphere changes and it is not nice."

Speculation has already linked the likes of Doyle and Ireland team-mate Stephen Hunt, who has been a target for Sunderland boss Roy Keane for some time, with moves away from the Madejski Stadium this summer.

However, the 24-year-old, while admitting he does not know what might happen over the next couple of months, insists he is happy where he is.

He said: "I am very happy at Reading. I don't know what is going to happen, to be honest.

"Whatever happens happens. I am happy there and whatever happens, if I am at Reading next season, I will be very happy."