Jim Crawford thrilled to finally get his men as Spanish-based pair link up with U21s

The Republic of Ireland boss will have the opportunity to work with both Ryan Johansson and John Patrick Finn Benoa in the coming weeks after protracted waits for both

Republic of Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Republic of Ireland manager Jim Crawford has expressed his eagerness to start working with Getafe’s John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa and Sevilla’s Ryan Johannson now that the pair are finally poised to link up with the squad for the first time.

The Spanish-based duo are just two among the seven new faces in a panel which has been named this morning for a triple-header of friendlies against Switzerland, Australia and Denmark, all of which will be played in Marbella across the space of a week.