Breaking Obafemi returns for Ireland with two uncapped players

Michael Obafemi is back in the Republic of Ireland fold for the looming UEFA Nations League games in June.

Obafemi has just a solitary cap to his name, and that was earned back in November 2018 against Denmark when Martin O'Neill was still in charge.

Stephen Kenny omitted the attacker from his squad for the March friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania because Obafemi was anxious about playing too many games having suffered recurring problems with his hamstrings over the last couple of years.

However the 21-year-old enjoyed a barnstorming finish to the Championship season with Swansea City and returns to the 27-man squad for a hectic international window.

Ireland have four games in ten days between 4 and 14 June. They travel to Armenia, then take on Ukraine and Scotland in Dublin, before facing the Ukrainians again in the neutral venue of Lodz, Poland. That fixture has been switched from Ukraine due to Russia's ongoing invasion of the country.

CJ Hamilton of Blackpool, a player who has recently declared for Ireland, is also included along with Festy Ebosele of Derby County.

Ebosele will join Udinese this summer and has been capped at Under-21 level three times.

Republic of Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby