Sammie Szmodics called up to Ireland squad as Aaron Connolly drops out with injury
Blackburn Rovers striker Sammie Szmodics has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers Greece and Gibraltar in place of the injured Aaron Connolly.
The 28-year-old has been in fine form for Rovers during the opening months of the campaign, contributing seven goals and two assists, to place him at the top of the Championship’s top scorers chart.
Szmodics has bagged braces against both Rotherham United and Middlesbrough, and was also on target in Saturday's 4-0 victory away to Queens Park Rangers.
His reward is a call-up to the Ireland squad for their two crucial fixtures against Greece at the Aviva stadium on Friday night before they take on Gibraltar in Faro next Monday as Stephen Kenny's side look to keep their slim hopes of reaching Germany next summer alive.
The Colchester native qualifies for Ireland through his grandmother, who was born in Granard, Longford, and was previously called up to the Irish squad by Kenny in May 2021 but he was forced to pull out days later through injury.
The rest of the squad reported for international duty on Monday before training preparations begin at the FAI National Training Centre on Tuesday.
Republic of Ireland Squad - Greece/Gibraltar
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Stoke City, on loan from AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton),
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