Post by Taxigirl on Nov 14, 2003 10:36:11 GMT
Celtic striker Liam Miller and Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid have been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for this month's friendly against Canada in Lansdowne Road.
They have been named in the 23-man senior panel for the first time as manager Brian Kerr begins his rebuilding after the failure to qualify for Euro 2004.
The pair have made some impressive performances at club level this season as well as for the under-21 side.
Skipper Kenny Cunningham returns after serving a one-match ban which kept him out of the final Euro 2004 qualfier against Switzerland.
Southampton's Rory Delap is back after last playing an international almost a year ago while Cardiff City's Graham Kavanagh retains his place in the squad.
West Ham striker David Connolly and Everton midfielder Lee Carsley miss out through injury while Aston Villa's Mark Kinsella is rested.
Manager Brian Kerr admitted he wanted to use this match to look at other players but Kinsella remains part of his future plans because of his experience.
"Mark needs to be playing on a regular basis for the club, but that hasn't been the case in recent times," he said.
Miller, who scored one of the goals in Celtic's 3-1 Champions League victory over Belgian side Anderlecht at Parkhead, seems destined for a lengthy international career.
"Like Andy Reid, this is an opportunity to look at players like Miller," said Kerr.
"Martin O'Neill, his boss at Celtic, has used him sparingly this season. But I know Miller from his days playing for the Irish youth teams and know that he is a level- headed lad.
"He won't be phased by all the publicity, although we know the potential is there," said Kerr.
"Andy Reid has also made good progress at Nottingham Forest and can play in a number of positions.
"It's always a big step from club football into senior international football. So we'll just wait and see."
The match, in Lansdowne Road, on 18 November, will be the first time the sides have ever met.
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Republic of Ireland squad: Given (Newcastle), Murphy (West Brom), Colgan (Stockport), Harte ;D (Leeds), Finnan (Liverpool), O'Shea (Man Utd), Carr (Tottenham), Cunningham (Birmingham), Breen (Sunderland), O'Brien (Newcastle), S Reid (Blackburn), Healy (Sunderland), Holland (Charlton), Miller (Celtic), Delap (Southampton), Kavanagh (Cardiff), McPhail (Nottm For), Kilbane (Everton), A Reid (Nottm For), Duff (Chelsea), Doherty (Tottenham), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Birmingham).