U21 boss Crawford not keen on senior SOS if play-offs beckon  

The number of players still eligible for U21 who have already been promoted to Kenny’s senior squad is touching double figures, with Gavin Bazunu and Troy Parrott among them, but wholesale change does not look likely.

Republic of Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford

Jim Crawford says there are no plans to parachute any of Stephen Kenny’s senior Republic of Ireland players back into the U21 ranks if his young team finds itself in a playoff for the Euro 2023 finals.

Crawford’s side take on Italy in Ascoli tomorrow with that playoff spot already secured but with the top spot still up for debate. Win that last Group F game and Ireland would go through automatically to next year’s tournament.