Hunt back in Republic of Ireland squad

Stephen Hunt has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time this season for the friendly against Norway in Dublin on November 17.

The Wolves midfielder has only just returned to action for his new club following a foot injury, but has been named in Giovanni Trapattoni's latest group and is on course to win his first cap since playing in the infamous World Cup play-off second leg match against France in Paris.

Also back in the fold is Hull forward Caleb Folan, although he is struggling with a leg injury having only just returned to action because of a previous problem, while Stoke's Marc Wilson and Preston's Keith Treacy come in.

Wilson's Potters team-mate Jonathan Walters has been given his first international call-up for the game at the new Aviva Stadium.

Trapattoni told www.fai.ie: "This friendly is a good opportunity to bring some players that we have not seen much of into the squad.

"It is their chance to show me what they can contribute to the team. Friendlies are extremely important for us to continue to build the strongest squad possible for the EURO qualifiers."

Wigan midfielder James McCarthy had been expected to get a call-up but is now set to be out for three months with an ankle injury.

Squad: S Given (Manchester City), K Westwood (Coventry); J O'Shea (Manchester United), S Coleman (Everton), R Dunne (Aston Villa), S St Ledger (Preston), G Cunningham (Manchester City/on loan at Leicester), K Foley (Wolves), P McShane (Hull), K Kilbane (Hull), S Kelly (Fulham), D O'Dea (Ipswich), M Wilson (Stoke); D Gibson (Manchester United), G Whelan (Stoke), P Green (Derby), L Lawrence (Portsmouth), S Hunt (Wolves), A McGeady (Spartak Moscow), K Treacy (Preston), D Duff (Fulham), K Fahey (Birmingham); J Walters (Stoke), R Keane (Tottenham), K Doyle (Wolves), C Folan (Hull), S Long (Reading).