MARTIN O’Neill has named his first squad as Ireland manager ahead of his side’s March 5 friendly with Serbia in Dublin.
Although O’Neill has spoken with Shay Given and Stephen Ireland about the possibility of returning to international football neither player will figure in the match at the Aviva Stadium.
Given has impressed during from a loan move to Middlesbrough, while Stoke midfielder Ireland continues to give mixed messages about his intentions of ending his seven-year exile.
O'Neill, who named his squad for the game in Limerick, said: “I've spoken to Shay. I think he's enjoyed it immensely at Middlesbrough, he's playing first team football but that loan is due to end soon.
"I may be speaking out of turn, but I don't think he feels there will be a place at Aston Villa. He has a choice at the end of the season and hopefully he will get himself involved.
"And likewise Stephen Ireland. I've spoken to Stephen. He hasn't had very much time playing time over the last six to seven weeks at Stoke. I mentioned the fact that I've come in here, to use those cliched words about a slate being clean and that kind of stuff.
“It was a phonecall - I want to go and see him personally and I will do that in the foreseeable future. Stephen himself is warming to that fact. I wouldn't say any more than that. The last thing I want to do is say something here that would end up in dispute."
O'Neill has named a provisional 29-man squad for the friendly encounter that will be shortened to 23 closer to the time.
Robbie Keane misses the match after O'Neill spoke with LA Galaxy boss Bruce Arena in London in January and agreeing that it would be best if he stayed with his employers ahead of their MLS season opener on March 8.
Ipswich's Daryl Murphy and Nottingham Forest's Simon Cox are the main beneficiaries in Keane's absence.
O'Neill will next head for France this weekend for the draw for the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Ireland are second seeds for Sunday's event in Nice.
Ireland Squad v Serbia [March 5]
Forde [Millwall], Randolph [Birmingham], Elliot [Newcastle]; Keogh [Derby], Wilson [Stoke], Coleman [Everton], O'Shea [Sunderland], Pearce [Reading], Kelly [Reading], Delaney [Ipswich], Dunne [QPR], Clark [Aston Villa], Ward [Brighton]; McCarthy [Everton], Whelan [Stoke], Green [Ipswich], Reid [Nottingham Forest], McGeady [Everton], Pilkington [Norwich], McClean [Wigan], Quinn [Hull], Meyler [Hull], Hoolahan [Norwich]; Long [Hull], Murphy [Ipswich], Walters [Stoke], Cox [Nottingham Forest], Doyle [QPR], Stokes [Celtic]
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