Villa defender Patten joins Eileen Gleeson's squad for Euro 2025 qualifiers

Head Coach Eileen Gleeson has selected a 26-player squad for their two opening games in Group A3.

WALSALL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Anna Patten of Aston Villa in action during of the Barclays WomenÂŽs Super League match between Aston Villa and Bristol City at Poundland Bescot Stadium on February 03, 2024 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)

Aston Villa defender Anna Patten has been called up to the Ireland squad for the first time for this month's European Championships qualifiers away to France and home to England.

The former Arsenal player is awaiting international clearance from FIFA before being declared eligible for the two qualifiers.

The 24-year-old defender qualifies through her Donegal-born Grandfather and Galway-born Grandmother.

Head Coach Eileen Gleeson has selected a 26-player squad for the two opening games in Group A3 which sees Ireland start against UEFA Nations League runners-up France in Metz on Friday, April 5th.

Ireland will return to Dublin to host reigning European champions England on Tuesday, April 9th in the Aviva Stadium in what will be the first official meeting of the teams in 37 years.

Defender Niamh Fahey and midfielder Tyler Toland return to the squad after missing two International Friendly games - against Italy and Cymru - in February. Though Fahey remains a doubt with a calf injury. 

Defender Tara O'Hanlon is still working through return to play protocol, while midfielders Sinead Farrelly (quad) Jamie Finn (knee) are unavailable.

The Ireland squad will begin preparations for the qualifiers at the FAI National Training Centre from Monday, April 1st.

Goalkeepers: C Brosnan (Everton), G Moloney (London City Lionesses), S Whitehouse (Lewes).

Defenders: J Stapleton (Reading - on loan from West Ham United), D Caldwell (FC Zurich), L Quinn (Birmingham City), N Fahey (Liverpool), A Mannion (Manchester United), C Hayes (Celtic), A Patten (Aston Villa), M Campbell (London City Lionesses).

Midfielders: K McCabe (Arsenal), D O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), M Connolly (Bristol City), R Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), T Toland (Blackburn Rovers), L Agg (Birmingham City), H Payne (Everton), J Ziu (West Ham United), L Quinn (Birmingham City), I Atkinson (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: K Carusa (San Diego Wave), A Larkin (Crystal Palace), A Barrett (Standard Liege), L Kiernan (Liverpool), E Murphy (Wake Forest University).