Taylor, Johnston, Azaz included as Hallgrimsson names latest Ireland squad

Matt Doherty has missed out on a place in Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad.

REWARDED: Southampton's Mateus Fernandes (left) is tackled by Ipswich Town's Jack Taylor. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has named a 24-man squad for the UEFA Nations League fixtures against Finland and Greece.

Ireland are set to face Finland in Helsinki on Thursday, October 10, with kick-off at 7.45pm (9.45pm local time) before a trip to Athens to face Greece on Sunday, October 13, with kick-off at 7.45pm (9.45pm local time).

Luton Town centre-back Mark McGuinness receives his first call-up to the senior squad following his impressive form for the Hatters this season whilst Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Azaz is recalled to the squad.

Ipswich Town midfielder Jack Taylor receives his first call-up to the Ireland squad since June 2023 after impressing for Kieran McKenna's side and will be looking to make his first appearance in a green jersey next week.

There are also returns to the squad for Aberdeen midfielder Jamie McGrath and West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston. 

Watford right-back Festy Ebosele - who came into the squad for the injured Seamus Coleman for the Greece game last month - is also named, but there is no place for Wolves' Matt Doherty, nor is their room for Cork duo Jake O'Brien and Alan Browne.

Josh Cullen was ruled out of the matches against England and Greece in September through injury but the Burnley midfielder comes back into the squad for the away double-header.

Squad: 

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).

Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).

Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).

Fixtures:

10/10 - Finland v Ireland, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time) 

13/10 - Greece v Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)